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November 24 2005
Hello!
I am happy to read "Kalay village council decides to cancel NOC to Timblo
mining.(GT)" in today's Goa news bytes brought out by Frederick Noronha.
Kalay villagers and the Panchayat needs to be applauded for their desicion
by all those concerned about Mining disaster in Goa. Also Gomantak Times
needs to be appriciated for reporting on mining - the topic that is
traditionally a taboo among press in Goa since mining companies owned the
newspapers.
Dust pullution, Water shortages, clogging of traditional waterways,
deforestation, labour exploitation, displacement of residents, disruption of
agriculture, drying up of River Kushavati and absence of share in the
foreign exchange earnings are only the fraction of issues that come to mind
immidiately when I think about it. We cannot afford to forget this reality
of Goa and get carried away with IFFI glamour.
I wish panchayats in other minining affected villages too learn from Kalay
villagers and initiate courageous actions against the mining companies in
Goa.
Sebastian Rodrigues.
