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Follow the online presence of the Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa
Contacts: Tel: +91 832 2285299 Email:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://christianartmuseum.goa-india.org/
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Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) over ruled all the objections of
the Sarvan villagers and gave green signal for starting of mining legally to
Goa bussiness group of Zatye but actually to be operated by on Trimurthy. It
is 72 hactares Sarwan Iron Ore and Manganese Ore Mine.
Villagers and People concerned about Environment have been protesting the
commisioning of mine at Sarwan for past few years. Last August 05 2007 core
area - survey number 64 of T.C. No. 28/1953 - of mining went under the
flooded Bicholim River. Here is the picture taken then:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=28
Environment ministry in its decision dated 21 August 2007 granted permission
to M/s Zatye & Company Pvt. Ltd the necssarry environment clearance for
commisining of mine under the condition that keeps safety zone of 50 meters
between mine working and the Bicholim river. The travesty of truth is that
thare is no 50 meter distance between the border as visible in the above
picture and the Bicholim river.
This mine is proposed to be commisioned at the capital cost of Rs.278 lakh
and will generate the waste of 13.1 million tonnes out of which 10 million
will be dumped on the land in the form of overburden and the rest will be
dumped inside the mining pit.
The clearance to the Sarvan mine also mean 40 houses with about 100 Sarwan
villagers living adjacent to the mining lease land of survey number 99 in
survey number 102 will have to get out soon if they decide to accept the
verdict of MoEF.
MoEF is satisfied with its investigations and found that this mine was in
operation during Portuguese colonial times in mid 1950s. Half a century
later Indian government thinks it fit to revive the same - thus perpetualte
the neo colonial legacy.
In early 2007 villagers came out the street of Bicholim to protest the
mining proposal. Here is the picture a protestor:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=34
Soon the public hearing was held wherein the mining proposal was vehemently
opposed. Here is the picture of gathering at Public hearing:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=35
MoEF gave permision for mining in not only roughriding Peoples opposition
for mining but also neglecting topographic evidence of forest existing the
mining lease area. Here is the picture of Sarvan's fragile Forest:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=36
There is also very important underground Cave network in the proposed Sarwan
mine area jurisdiction. This is going to be completely lost forever to the
planet:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=37
Proposed Zatye mining site in Sarvan also has an old temple - a place of
worship on the banks. It is a rich human heritage to be lost due to mining.
See the beauty for yourself:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=38
Hoticulture in the form of 'Kulagars' here fetch Rs. 1 crore to the Sarvan
village. It has well developed irrigation networks. Have a look at this
irrigation for cultivation:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=39
In the hottest months in Goa temperature in this forest does ranges between
15 degrees to 28 degree. It is forest with wild flowers. Here is picture:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=40
Cattles too come here to cool themselves in fresh water. Here they are
relaxing:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=41
Do you think mining should come up in Sarvan? Dont's we rob our future
generations of somethings valuable? What answer do we have to offer when he
will ask us 'Why din't you protect our mountains?' Do we have a courage to
look at his face:
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog_post_image.php?imgId=42
Sarwan forest will loose Forest, Villages of Sarvan and Vattadev, Will
deposit huge silt in Bicholim river, will throughly disturb catchment area
of Bicholim river which is an important tributories of Mandovi river.
Do ponder. Think. Then write your protests to the MoEF officials in Delhi at
their email [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Express yourself so your till your voice is heard by those in power.
Sebastian Rodrigues
Visit my blog at
http://www.openspaceforum.net/twiki/tiki-view_blog.php?blogId=17
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