CLEAN GOA INITIATIVE MEET
- Report by Margaret Mascarenhas
Around 250 concerned citizens, activists and NGO representatives came out in support of the Clean Goa Initiative public march and demonstration at the Mermaid Garden on October 17th, in spite of the announcement for it being blacked out by most of the local daily press. According to Roland Martins (GoaCan) and Patricia Pinto, who have ample experience with such grass roots initiatives, that was a good turn out indeed. "Usually, we only get about 50 people," said Martins. The venue, facilities and permissions for the march and the event were arranged free of cost by journalist and event manager, Ethel Da Costa.
"We're here today to highlight the severity of the garbage crisis in Goa, to understand the issues involved and to seek solutions. We want to try to find a common platform between government, the tourism industry, and private citizens," said writer Margaret Mascarenhas,who informally anchored the event.
Out of the ten speakers invited to address the gathering, Patricia Pinto was the first. She spoke about sustainable waste in Panjim related to the IFFI this year. She was followed by the Sarpanch of Colvale, Neelkanth Haldankar, who described waste issues confronted by villages and recommended the use of bins in schools. Sanjit Rodrigues, Commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panjim addressed civic responsibility and slammed Panjim residents for being lazy about segregation and reducing their use of plastics. Wendell Rodricks, who is credited with kick-starting the initiative, gave a forceful call to the public and the government to step up to the plate to preserve Goa's beauty and environment.
A last minute arrival, Dr Cajetan Fernandes, representing the people of Curca asked to address the audience, and was welcomed warmly onto the stage. He said he was sympathetic to the dilemma of Panjim, but warned that the Curca dump was overflowing, and that Curca would not permit any more trucks to dump in the area. A round of applause broke out as he left the podium.
Leo Lobo, described private initiatives such as composting, segregation and recyling, and Dr Oscar Rebello warned about the real and present hazards of improper medical waste disposal and appealed to the public to hold irresponsible practitioners accountable. GoaCan director, Roland Martins discussed grassroots involvement on the garbage issue and also called for a need for the need to broaden the platform of discussion on solutions to include governmental and private parties involved in tourism and beach management. The CEO of Enviroment Solutions announced a plan to set up PET bottle retrieval centres around Goa, and during IFFI. Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation discussed cost effective solutions for towns and villages, but remarked that the government didn't appear to be interested in cost effectiveness, a sentiment echoed by Sandesh Prabhudesai, editor of Sunaparant, who turned out to be one of the most galvanizing speakers and motivators of the evening.
NGOs such as SGPIAG of South Goa, GoaCan, and Green Goa Works, distributed brochures and pamphlets of information to the public. Organisers of the Clean Goa Initiative announced that they would take the movement to South Goa in November.
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Some photos taken at the meet are archived at:
http://www.goa-world.com/goa/clean/
"We're here today to highlight the severity of the garbage crisis in Goa, to understand the issues involved and to seek solutions. We want to try to find a common platform between government, the tourism industry, and private citizens," said writer Margaret Mascarenhas,who informally anchored the event.
Out of the ten speakers invited to address the gathering, Patricia Pinto was the first. She spoke about sustainable waste in Panjim related to the IFFI this year. She was followed by the Sarpanch of Colvale, Neelkanth Haldankar, who described waste issues confronted by villages and recommended the use of bins in schools. Sanjit Rodrigues, Commissioner of the Corporation of the City of Panjim addressed civic responsibility and slammed Panjim residents for being lazy about segregation and reducing their use of plastics. Wendell Rodricks, who is credited with kick-starting the initiative, gave a forceful call to the public and the government to step up to the plate to preserve Goa's beauty and environment.
A last minute arrival, Dr Cajetan Fernandes, representing the people of Curca asked to address the audience, and was welcomed warmly onto the stage. He said he was sympathetic to the dilemma of Panjim, but warned that the Curca dump was overflowing, and that Curca would not permit any more trucks to dump in the area. A round of applause broke out as he left the podium.
Leo Lobo, described private initiatives such as composting, segregation and recyling, and Dr Oscar Rebello warned about the real and present hazards of improper medical waste disposal and appealed to the public to hold irresponsible practitioners accountable. GoaCan director, Roland Martins discussed grassroots involvement on the garbage issue and also called for a need for the need to broaden the platform of discussion on solutions to include governmental and private parties involved in tourism and beach management. The CEO of Enviroment Solutions announced a plan to set up PET bottle retrieval centres around Goa, and during IFFI. Claude Alvares of Goa Foundation discussed cost effective solutions for towns and villages, but remarked that the government didn't appear to be interested in cost effectiveness, a sentiment echoed by Sandesh Prabhudesai, editor of Sunaparant, who turned out to be one of the most galvanizing speakers and motivators of the evening.
NGOs such as SGPIAG of South Goa, GoaCan, and Green Goa Works, distributed brochures and pamphlets of information to the public. Organisers of the Clean Goa Initiative announced that they would take the movement to South Goa in November.
---------
Some photos taken at the meet are archived at:
http://www.goa-world.com/goa
- Forwarded by Cecil Pinto [EMAIL PROTECTED]
This first of its kind Gulf-Goans e-newsletter is dedicated to Goans around the Globe. http://www.goa-world.com/ Team, moderated by Almeida Gaspar since 1994 & presented by Ulysses Menezes, owner of http://www.goa-world.com website.
Upcoming events in Kuwait:
* Colva Feast of Infant Jesus on 27th Oct. at Holy Family Cathedral celebrated by Colva United Centre (CUC)
* BBSC Fiesta 2005 - 3rd Nov. organized by Bombay Boys Sports Club.
* The Sentinels presents "COUTURE MANTRA 2005" - multidimensional Fashion Show & Theme Party on 10th Nov at Faker Eldeen Palace.
* Traditional Colva Nite on 24th Nov. Details Tel 2613680, 2648731
* Children Party "FELIZ NATAL 2005" on 2nd Dec organized by Crystal Focus Club
* Goan Heritage Program organized by Club.9 at Hilton Kuwait with "Pure Magic" & "Stepping Stones" on 8th Dec.
CLEAN GOA Initiative
http://www.goa-world.com/goa/clean/
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