Dear cyber Saligaokars, 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]> ''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' _______________________________________________ Saligaonet mailing list [email protected] http://lists.goacom.org/mailman/listinfo/saligaonet
