----- Original Message ----- From: Albert Da Cruz To: goanet-request Sent: Monday, March 23, 2009 1:33 PM Subject: Fw: The Democratic Process.
Thought mingh be of interest. Regards Albert Da Cruz Perth Western Australia ----- Original Message ----- From: Albert Da Cruz To: goafoundat...@gmail.com Cc: saligaonet Sent: Sunday, March 22, 2009 9:07 PM Subject: The Democratic Process. Dear Claude, It was good to read your contribution to town planning issues which were well researched, and clearly explained. This should serve as a blueprint for all those who are engaged in this activity which appears to have the hall mark of the democratic processes in action. It is quite clear that your scholarly treatment of the subject was the result of much consultation with qualified professionals and informed village leaders. I have just returned from a short holiday in Saligao and was impressed with the zeal and interest the villagers showed in their environment. Alas there was a mismatch between the concern expressed and the state of the environment. Disposal of garbage is a major issue of concern for all the villagers all around Goa. Your solution seems to be both practical and efficient. On my earlier visit to Goa I was very impressed with a Mangrove society display of ways and means of developing composting methods. In particular I was impressed with the worm farm on display. On enquiring the source of the worms I was told that they came from Saligao. However, I was a little surprised that no effort was made to generate compost by using simple worm farm techniques in the village. There is so much expertise and knowledge around but sadly it is not translated into useful environmental control activities. I felt the same about the brilliant work done by the Oceanic Institute in Donna Paula when I visited there some time ago, that there was no facilities to bring to the wider community news about their work and their research findings. Although we have very efficient garbage collection facilities in Perth, a number of households either collectively or individually use worm farms to compost vegetable and paper materials and help grow vegetables in the backyard, using trickle irrigation. At least we now feel that we can be assured that we have clean vegetables free of any chemical treatments and home grown. Your structured and well reasoned and research document will I hope inspire others to contribute in a like manner. Best wishes Albert Da Cruz Perth Western Australia.
