John Fernandes Quepem
The Villagers of Rivona ,Colomba , Cavrem and adjacent affected area under
the banner of Rivona Panchkroshi Nagrik Kruti Committee today organized a
meeting on utkarsh Hall Rivona to oppose any mining activity in the area.
The meeting was addressed by Dr. Clkaude Alvares( Dir. Of Goa Foundation,
Environmentalist kamlaker Sadle, Dattaram Dessai, Arun Madgaonkar, Venkatash
Prabhu Dessai , Fr. Mathies of Don Bosco and around 300 villagers . The
meeting hall was packed full to its full capacity.
Addressing the gathering Dr. Alvaries stated that every Government that
comes in power is not of common but of the mine owners, as even hundred of
illegal activities are carried on by the mine owner at the cost of the Am Admi
the government dares to take action. He further stated that so many mining
leases has been issued in Rivona and Colomba that in the years to come both
these villages will be wiped out. Coming down heavily on the Mineral foundation
Dr. Alvares stated the foundation which does the social service in the villages
is with a motive to divide the people. All the mining leases given during
Portuguese regime should be stopped. The mining department have two directors
one is for north Goa and the other for south Goa and who are mostly in courts.
The government does not have any records as to much ore is being extracted, he
stated further.
Arun Madgaonkar in his speech stated that the mine owners who claims of
protecting the environment does not do anything to replace the land in its
original position hence most of the mining pits are lying open for decades
together. He further stated that in some cases the mine owner plant acacia tree
which intern creates health problems as it give rise to Asthoma disease.
Dr. Dattaram Dessai a champion of Nylon 66 addressing the villagers stated
that the mine owners have already destroyed half of Goa and they are in the
process of destroying the remaining half. He cited so many example of north Goa
how mining created havoc in the villages and appealed to the villagers not to
fall pray to the incentive tactics of the mine sharks. He appealed to the
villagers to remain united to fight against the onslaught of the mining
companies.
Kamlakar Sadle in his address stated that the mining companies to satisfy
their greed are looting the mother nature who are not at all concerned about
environment. He stated that the Forest department gives permission close to the
Ponsamol Protected site but the same department object for developing the
protected site by the Archaeological department.
Photos annexed: Seen in one photo Dr. Cloud Alvaries of Goa Foundation
addressing the villagers while in the other Photo the villagers gathered for
the meeting. Photo by John Fernandes.
---------------------------------
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites. Make Yahoo! your homepage.
