Mining in and around Rivona is polluting the Selaulim reservoir as well as the sources of water, mountains, forests, streams, springs and aquifers. People from all over Goa especially youth will congregate at Shivsure Junction, 3 km ahead of Rivona on the road to famous Budbudeachem Tollem and express their resolve to potect the water resource. Rivona residents disrupt mining traffic; block over 1,500 trucks (Navhind Times) MARGAO: Residents of Rivona, under the banner of the Rivona Citizen Welfare Forum, (RCWF), blocked over 1,500 mining trucks making more than 3,000 trips daily from 11 operating mines on Wednesday. In continuation of their protest against the killing of a 26-year-old from Silcorna, Francis Jevaji, by a mining truck in the wee hours of Tuesday, the protesting residents, which primarily involved mothers, said that they are sick with the government authorities and the mining companies. They claimed that Jevaji was the only breadwinner of his family comprising of aged parents and two spinster sisters. He was to leave for Muscat shortly to earn some extra bucks to support his family. The family of the deceased and residents of surrounding areas are also questioning the rational of providing compensation to the family of the deceased. The protesters said that they couldn’t take it any more. Representing RCWF, Ms Olinda Lopes said that repeated pleas by the residents to the government, mining companies, the RTO, the environment protection agency in Saligao and even Mr Parrikar’s People Account Committee (PAC) continues to fall on deaf ears. There are more than 2200 houses in the areas, five high schools and 14 primary schools. Ms Maria Concesciao said "It takes nearly 20 minutes and more to cross the road with kids and while waiting to cross we eat iron ore dust from the continuous mining traffic, which drivers refused to stop even for our children." Every year besides countless accidents, five to 10 deaths take place on the roads. "When we leave our home for the daily chores, we are not sure whether we will return or not," said Ms Fatima Correira, a mother of four, pointing out to the mark where arrogant driver knocked Jevaji, taking his scooter under the truck adding that it is a bus stop. The drivers mainly from outside the state are arrogant and drive in drunken state without any regards for pedestrians, said Ms Lopes. Over 100s of bars have come up along the roads, also in nooks and cranny. "On January 29, the residents headed by Rev Fr Octavio D’Cunha personally met the Chief Minister, Mr Digambar Kamat and handed a memorandum. Since then there was no response, this is a clear sign that the CM, along with the mining companies, the police and the government authorities are working hand in glove," it was claimed. All the fresh water springs have been blocked, which include the popular Bududeachem Tollem. An illegal mining company is even dumping its mining waste into the fresh water Kushawati River, the river is the life line of Rivona, Zambulim to Chandor. The Rivona Citizen Forum is not alone. A massive support from all over Goa, including NGOs will be backing them for their rights to live in peace.
Locals not to allow mining trucks to ply via Rivona TEAM HERALD team [email protected] QUEPEM: The agitated villagers of Shivsorem-Rivona have vowed not to allow any mining truck to ply through Rivona this season. It may be recalled that Francis Jevaji (26), an employee of Don Bosco Sulcorna Farm died, after he was knocked down by an empty mining truck at Shivsorem-Rivona. Irked with the incident, the agitated villagers blocked the entire road and did not allow the police to remove both the vehicles from the accident site. On Wednesday at about 9.30 am, around 100 villagers gathered at the accident spot for the meeting and decided not to allow the mining transport to ply through Rivona side this season. Meanwhile, parishioners of Rivona have decided to convene a meeting on Friday to chalk future course of action. Speaking to Herald, the agitators claimed that the authorities are hands in glove with the mining lobby. “All the notifications issued by the Directorate of Mines and Collector are nothing but an eye wash and till date none of the conditions stated in the notifications are followed by the mining lobby or the transport contractors,” said Francisco Fernandes. “Even the guidelines issued by the High Court are not implemented,” he said. The villagers further stated that illegal mining operation is going on in the area. “One might see police and traffic police posted at various points, but they are nothing but monuments for display as they have no authority to take action against any law breaker,” said the villagers. Irene Fernandes said villagers should take a lesson from the people of Cavrem and be united. She said that the mining lobby might try to influence some villagers, but the villagers should not get distracted by such rumours. Meanwhile, the Rivona Social Welfare Group (RSWG) has extended its support to the villagers and said they would be with the villagers of Shivsorem on Friday morning to stop all the mining traffic. The government had decided to keep mining transport off the road for two days. RSWG President Francisco Fernandes said that they are living a fearful life as it is not possible to cross the road at any time of the day as mining trucks start plying as early as 5.30 am and till late in the evening. The last rites of Francis Jevaje will be performed at the Colomb Chapel on Thursday evening.
