A million Nandigrams DOWN TO EARTH
Sunita Narain / New Delhi March 27, 2007 We were standing between a massive mine and a stunning water reservoir. Local activists were explaining to me how this iron ore mine was located in the catchment of the Salaulim water reservoir, the only water source for south Goa. Suddenly, as I clicked with my camera, we were surrounded by a jeepload of men. They said they were from the mine management and wanted us off the property. We explained that we had come on a public path and that there were no signs to indicate that we were trespassing. But they were not in a mood to listen. They snatched the keys of our jeep, picked up stones to hit us and got abusive. Before things got totally out of hand, we decided to leave. I was completely baffled at these developments. After all, this was Goa, known for its peace and calm. This was also the place where industrialists—the Dempos, the Salgoacars, the Timblos with mineral interests—play key roles in education, in culture and in promoting the ethics of good corporate governance. Why would they allow mining to take place next to what is clearly the most important water source for the state? Why were there no signboards with names of owners, near or around the mine? Why would state regulators allow this to happen? What was happening in this paradise to unleash this violence and simmering tension? I got my answers soon. Full story at http://www.business-standard.com/common/storypage.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=3&autono=278928&tab=r. === More Goan news stories and features at http://khobro.blogspot.com.
