[Gulf Goans] Fwd: Clean Goa Initiative

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 23:25:35 -0700



Ulysses Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
From Ulysses Menezes Tue Oct 11 14:34:46 2005
X-Apparently-To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] via 206.190.49.174; Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:34:46 -0700
X-YahooFilteredBulk: 72.14.204.207
X-Originating-IP: [72.14.204.207]
Return-Path: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Authentication-Results: mta159.mail.mud.yahoo.com
from=gmail.com; domainkeys=pass (ok)
Received: from 72.14.204.207 (EHLO qproxy.gmail.com) (72.14.204.207)
by mta159.mail.mud.yahoo.com with SMTP; Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:34:46 -0700
Received: by qproxy.gmail.com with SMTP id e11so1301331qbe
for <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:34:46 -0700 (PDT)
DomainKey-Signature: a=rsa-sha1; q=dns; c=nofws;
s=beta; d=gmail.com;
h=received:message-id:date:from:to:subject:in-reply-to:mime-version:content-type:references;
b=gqfLLBdN9GertHI3+cvL9lIvw79n5/mN88kRHSNebChxbNbwv/Kbxnsl3VHUNuK+yaPbB+/GVqQtj6aabaAU4zlp+Q4jcm9DzP+BLE9CNzKwGkIic023PpfwdNzfkmlXgI85dwjUYXmParL89tAbVWuOZKFAZ+cILOzvWsz2OIo=
Received: by 10.64.241.5 with SMTP id o5mr326200qbh;
Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:34:46 -0700 (PDT)
Received: by 10.65.22.1 with HTTP; Tue, 11 Oct 2005 14:34:45 -0700 (PDT)
Message-ID: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 2005 00:34:46 +0300
From: Ulysses Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Ulysses Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Fwd: Clean Goa Initiative
In-Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
boundary="----=_Part_15205_24036882.1129066486021"
References: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Content-Length: 11829



---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Muriel & Mario <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Date: Oct 11, 2005 7:54 PM
Subject: Clean Goa Initiative
To: Ulysses Menezes <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>

Dear Uly and all at Goa-World,

Here is a new initiative developing in response to all the
garbage generated on the garbage issue!

As far back as 1988, it was the Saligao Nagrik Kriti Samiti and
the Jagrut Goenkaranchi Fouz that raised garbage as serious
problems of Modern Mass Tourism and a consumerist society.  The
2 activist groups were scorned at for being a bunch of
anti-development, loony, false prophets shouting themselves
hoarse in the wilderness.

At the turn of 21 century again it was Saligao, this time in the
form of the Saligao Civic and Consumer Cell that made garbage a
burning issue in the State.  After battling at all levels, we
have today a largely ineffective High Court order that prevents
our hill from being the official dump site of the entire coastal
belt.

Now this new initiative is really noteworthy, because it has
people from across the state and from all walks of life who have
declared war on garbage.  This appeal is from the campaign
leaders to join the struggle in whatever small way you can.

Our recommendation: *Go for it!*

In solidarity with everyone who is battling garbage, especially
the forces that create it - a consumerist culture and society.

Muriel & Mario.
-------------------------------------------------------

Everybody!

Because of the great response, we are extending this endorsement
campaign for another week and will forward your names to Delhi,
where the letter has already been delivered. Please circulate it
among your friends and family in Goa, Goa residents and among
Goans outside Goa too. They don't need to sign the actual
letter, just send me an email at [EMAIL PROTECTED]
with "yes on clean goa initiative" in the subject line, and in
the body of the email: their name, occupation, residential
location.

And get ready for the Clean Goa Initiative meet at the mermaid
garden, Panjim. Stay tuned for details.

thanks for your support,

margaret.

....................................................
To,
Shri Jaipal Reddy
Minister for Information, Publicity & Culture
Shastri Bhavan, A Wing
New Delhi – 110 001.

Subject: IFFI and lack of waste management infrastructure in Goa.

Dear Sir,

We are writing to you to draw attention to the deteriorating
waste management crisis in Goa and the fear that the population
influx generated by IFFI will exacerbate the existing problem to
dangerous levels.

Background

A few months ago, a wall of the unsegregated garbage dump in the
village of Curca, where the city of Panjim was dumping,
collapsed due to heavy rains, spewing waste into the village. In
response, villagers all over Goa rose up in protest and so far
have successfully impeded the municipalities of Panjim, Ponda
and Mapusa from disposing their voluminous waste on village
land. Dumping began along highways (see attached photos) and
under the Panjim Patto Bridge.

Subsequently, two petitions, one from the residents in and around
the Patto area, and one from local activist Floriano Lobo,
regarding the disastrous effects of the state and municipal
authorities' willful disregard of the indiscriminate dumping
were filed in the Mumbai High Court. They have been converted
into PILs and are pending hearing.

Immediate Concerns

The Goa State Government (one of the respondents in both PILs)
has decided to hold the IFFI in Panjim for the second time, and
successfully lobbied at the Centre to make Goa the permanent
venue of the IFFI. The Municipal Corporation of Panjim has
repeatedly complained that the State Government never consulted
them on their capability in handling the waste issue with regard
to IFFI since the inflow of both tourists and the local Goan
population who attend events affects the garbage situation.

Also the residents of the Kala Academy area suffer the burden of
too many vehicles and people.  Hence, concerned citizens feel
the IFFI, planned for November, should not be held here until
active measures are taken to identify and implement precisely
how the waste generated by the IFFI in the city of Panjim will
be managed, since already Panjim is incapable of handling its
present waste output.

Heath Hazards

The lack of waste management infrastructure, has created a
situation that is extremely dangerous to the health of the
entire population of Goa as well as to visitors. If it
continues, Goa will surely find itself in the position of Surat
in 1994, which was struck with a plague epidemic.  Cases of
dengue (a disease hitherto unknown in Goa) have been reported
(see press clips attached). Other diseases that occur under such
conditions, particularly when water sources are contaminated,
e-coli, viral hepatitis, cryptosporadiosis, and giardia
infection. In addition medical waste from hospitals all over the
state is often being dumped in the open.

Solutions ignored

A number of environment-friendly, cost effective waste management
solutions have been repeatedly put forth to the Goa Government
by local NGOs and even by some corporates, but successive Goa
Governments have not seriously considered them.  Recently the
Goa Chief Minister admitted to Sunday Midday that there was a
problem, but claimed that not enough of the public had come out
forcefully on the matter. This is not really the case.

Apart from the fact that villagers all over the state have
protested, and petitions are being filed in the court, the local
press has been reporting daily on the severity of the problem
for months (at the national level, NDTV did a prime-time piece
on the issue on September 20th).

In addition, numerous individuals have written letters to
editors, and met with and/or written to concerned government
department heads and ministers (Urban development, Tourism,
Environment, etc). No one in local government can claim that the
problem is not a serious one, or that the Goa government is
unaware of its severity, or, in fact, that holding IFFI in
Panjim will not compound the problem.

Please Help

Goa is a national treasure. It has the prerequisites for a model
state—low density population, educated residents. We, concerned
citizens and friends of Goa, for the most part believe that the
IFFI and tourism is a good thing for Goa, but not under the
present circumstances, without required waste management
infrastructure.

We ask that the Central Government take cognizance of the waste
management problem and lend its support to induce the Goa
Government to take the issue seriously and to take monitorable,
visible steps to resolve it before it is too late.

We also request that events for IFFI be for the delegates
alone so that there is no problem for residents of Panjim.
Please do not permit open-air screenings of films or art/music
entertainment for the locals since crowds will add to the
garbage problem.

The local residents would be most happy if the best films of IFFI
are screened for their benefit at INOX during the week after the
festival.  Please intervene and convince the Goa Government to
address the waste management issue by appointing an independent
apolitical body to make the appropriate recommendations with
immediate effect and to abide by those recommendations.  We need
your help.

Sincerely,

Margaret Mascarenhas, novelist, Goa
Wendell Rodricks, fashion designer, Goa
Shobhaa De, columnist, novelist, Mumbai
Saryu Doshi, art historian, Mumbai
Bal Mundkur, ad executive (retired), Goa
Nasseer Munjee, international govt. consultant, Goa
Remo Fernandes, musician, Goa
Heta Pandit, conservationist, Goa
Dayanita Singh, photographer, Goa
Claude Alvares, Director Goa Foundation, Goa
Desmond Nazareth, documentary film-maker, Goa/US
Avtar Singh, novelist, Goa
Alexyz, cartoonist, Goa
Prava Rai, writer, Goa
Jerry Pinto, poet and journalist, Goa
Sudeep Chakravarti, novelist, Goa
Dean D'Cruz, architect, Goa
Norma Alvares, environmental lawyer, Goa
Vinni Timblo, hotelier, Goa etc

(letter ends)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
PS: Kindly note our new e-ddress:
Muriel & Mario <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
and make the change in your e-ddress book. - M&M.
.................................................
there *is* anOTHERgoa - the destruction
of Salmona Spring, for instance!
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
muriel & mario,
4/4 tabravaddo,
opp. st. anne's chapel, saligao.
bardez. goa. 403511.
tel: 0832-2278276 / 2409999
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''


--
Goa-World
http://www.goa-world.com

Mahableshwar
http://www.mahableshwar.com

St. Mary's High School - Mt Abu, Rajasthan India
http://www.abusms.com


Goa-World
http://www.goa-world.com/

Live Konkani Music
http://www.live365.com/stations/61664

Virtual Mahableshwar
http://www.mahableshwar.com/

St. Mary's School - Mt. Abu - Rajasthan - India
http://www.abusms.com/

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around
http://mail.yahoo.com

http://www.goa-world.com
http://www.live365.com/stations/61664 Live Konkani Music
http://www.mahableshwar.com/


Addresses:
Post message: [email protected]
Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
List owner: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
URL to this page:
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/gulf-goans





SPONSORED LINKS
Gulf coast real estate Gulf shore al real estate Gulf shores condo
Gulf shores real estate Asian manufacturer Gulf coast condo

YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS



Reply via email to