Post on 19-Mar-2018
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Western Ghats Ecology Experts Panel
Ministry of Environment & Forests
(Chair: Dr Madhav Gadgil)
Goa Team Presentation: September 27, 2010 (NIO)
Dossier contents:
1) Goa Team names
2) Claude Alvares: “General Issues Relating to Conservation of
Western Ghats in Goa.”
3) Rajendra Kerkar, “Proposal for a Tiger Reserve in Goa.”
4) Rajendra Kerkar, “Sacred Groves of Goa.”
5) M.K. Janarthanam, “Ecologically Sensitive Lateritic Plateaus of
Western Ghats.”
6) Kamlakar D Sadhale, “Western Ghats and Water Conservation
Regime.”
7) Rajendra Kakodkar, “Economic Perspective of Mining for Western
Ghats Ecology.”
8) Durgadas Gaonkar, Avdhoot Prabhudesai, Seby Rodrigues, Adv.
John Fernandes and Rama Velip, “Colomba Village in the Western
Ghats: a case study of police brutality and the erosion of public
health.”
9) Sandeep Azrenkar, “A Short Study of Compensatory Afforestation in
Goa.”
10) Summary Recommendations of the Goa Team
Additional documentation:
11) Minutes of Mohan Ram Committee on SESA proposal (25.4.2003)
12) List of Mining Leases within Madei/Netravali Wildlife Sanctuaries
13) List of Industries permissible in Western Ghats (Ministry of
Industries)
14) List of industries permissible in Goa (Zoning Atlas)
15) Report of Goa Government Committee on Buffer Zones for Goa’s
Wildlife Sanctuaries
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Brief Introduction to presenters (in order of appearance) from the team assembled by Goa
Foundation:
1) Dr Claude Alvares (Director, the Goa Foundation)
2) Rajendra Kerkar (Environmentalist, Green Teacher, Goa Education Board for
Environment)
3) Prof. Malapati Janarthanam, Department of Botany, Goa University
4) Dr Manoj Borkar, Carmel College
5) Nirmal Kulkarni, wildlife expert and researcher
6) Arch. K.D. Sadhale (Nirmal Vishwa)
7) Adv. John Fernandes (Legal activist from Quepem)
8) Ramesh Gauns (Best Teacher Award, all-India; environmental activist)
9) Rajendra Kakodkar, analyst, Quepem.
10) Durgadas Gaonkar, President, GAKUVED
11) Dr Avdhoot Prabhudesai (medical practitioner)
12) Rama Velip (tribal farmer and anti-mining activist)
*Main presenters in bold.
Other members of the Goa team:
13) Reboni Saha, Mosaic (involved in preparation of Maps)
14) Arch Dean D’Cruz, Mosaic
15) Suresh, Mosaic
16) Carmen Miranda, environmentalist, London
17) Ms Andrea Pereira, photographer
18) Terence
19) Gaurav Shirodkar, wildlife researcher
20) Anthony Simoes, costings engineer
21) Rahul Goswami, analyst, agriculture and mining
22) Pandurang Patil, anti-mining activist, Rivona, Quepem
23) Shyamsundar Naik, anti-mining activist, Advalpal
24) Hartman D’Souza, theatre artist and writer
25) Shankar Jog, anti-mining activist, Sacordem
26) Sandeep Azrenkar, President, Nisarga
27) Carl D’Silva, wildlife illustrator and environmentalist
28) Maria Aurora Couto, author
29) Abhijit Prabhudesai, Margao
30) Gabriela D’Cruz, Gap Year student, assistant to the team
31) Seby Rodrigues, Convenor, GOAMAP
32) Miguel Braganza, Goa Botanical Society.
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PPrrooppoossaall ffoorr aa TTiiggeerr RReesseerrvvee iinn GGooaa
BByy RRaajjeennddrraa KKeerrkkaarr
Goa is known as the famous tourist destination for silvery pristine sea
beaches. Very few are aware that Goa has the 700 sq. km Western Ghats
with six wildlife sanctuaries and one National Park.
Today there is a big question mark over whether tiger are the resident of
Goa or they are migrated. But once tigers were freely roaming in Goa’s
forests and they were the integral part of Goa’s rich forests.
Recently an incident of tiger killing by some poachers came to light on
April 13, 2009 at Vadyer cashew plantation in Keri – Sattari at the
foothills of Vagheri, the hill of Sahyadri known to be the abode of tiger,
has proved beyond doubt that tigers are there in Goa. The Wildlife
Census conducted by Goa Forest Department in 1993 indicated the
presences of three tigers, in 1997 five tigers and in the last census of
2002 five tigers have been reported. The government having nexus with
the powerful mining lobby, have purposefully failed in providing
protection to tiger by recognizing the notifications of the Mhadei and
Netravali wildlife sanctuaries issued in June 1999.
However, the degradation of their natural habitat, poaching is the
various factors which were responsible for decreasing the tiger’s
population to the greater extent.
In spite of all these, even today tigers are worshipped in Goa. They have
a place of significance in the cultural and religious traditions. There are
many shrines scattered in different areas where tigers are worshipped as
the deity.
In Goa, once the tiger have been perceived as essential to keep the
ungulates and herbivores away from the ripen crops, thus protecting the
fields. Among the Velip tribals of Colomb in Sanguem there is an annual
tradition of showing gratitude to the tiger by observing Vagryamas on
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the new moon day. As per the local, this tradition has emerged from the
fact that tiger should not attack their cattle while grazing in the jungle. In
various parts of Sattari a four- headed mother goddess is worshipped
with the mount of tiger. Shantadurga temple of Vagurme of Phonda,
Mahadev of Cacora, Ravalnath of Mhavus- Sattari, Paikdev of Cotarli-
Sanguem, Kurpeshwar of Curpe and many more temples of Goa has the
tradition of tiger worship. Vagro is worshipped sometimes in the form of
idol of tiger or a memorial stone among the affiliate deities.
“Worshipping tiger iconographically is a tradition among the forest
dwelling communities. We worship tiger’s sculpture with the hope that
our cattle and family should get protection from tiger” says Puti Gaonkar
from Bandhwada, Netravali of Sanguem.
During a quarter century Netravali was densely forested and wild
animals like tigers were roaming freely without any fear from human
beings. There were very rare incidents of the tiger attack or tiger kill
inside the villages.
As the tiger is the mount of goddess Durga and Lord Shiva is called as
‘vyaghrambar’ he is respected. In Vaghure near Pissurle of Sattari, there
is an independent temple of Vyaghreshwar. “In this area no one dare to
kill the tiger with the fear of wrath of vyaghreshwar. Tigers were revered
as god.” says Sanjay Sadanand Tendulkar, a resident of Khodiye-Sattari.
The Gaodongari of Cancona, Uguem, Colamb near Rivan of Sanguem,
Avachitwada of Bicholim there are shrines of Vaghrodev.
The mining affected Lamgao near Bicholim town was forested and had
the presence of tiger. But the massive mining activities have totally
disturb the habitat of tiger and making them totally extinct them the
area.
In Karnataka, tiger is regarded as the vehicle of Male Mahadeswara and
Iyyappa. It was also the part of the emblem of Hoysala rulers. The tiger is
worshipped as betaraya in inland districts and as huliraya in many sacred
groves of western ghat region of Karnataka. The tradition of huli kunita
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(Tiger dance) during the Holi festival procession is very popular in
Karnataka. In the history of Goa- Kadamba rulers, Sawai- Verem plate of
Guhalladeva II describes him as Vyagramari or slayer of tiger. The plinth
of Purvachari temple in Zarme of Sattari has the rock panel clearly
indicating a scene of the Vyagramari. The Perni Jagor, the most ancient
mask dance of Goa has the scene of tiger so also the Gawada Jagor.
There are many folksongs which makes references to the various
behavioural patterns of the tigers.
One of the beautiful temples of Vaghro-dev came to light recently in
Dongurli inside the Mahavir National Park near Collem. This temple now
totally in neglected condition was built in the laterite bricks.
Near Collem, there is one more temple at Shirsode on the bank of Kale
River dedicated to tiger. Presently, this area is isolated and far away
from human settlement. Without building any concrete structure are a
temple, there is need to accord protection to these shrines and
sculptures as they are heritage sites inherited from our ancestors.
Suggestions for protection of Tiger Reserve:
• Creation of the Mhadei Tiger Reserve by including the core forested
areas where there are no human settlements.
• If sparse population is there they should be properly rehabilated by
giving them appropriate compensation.
• A Tiger Reserve Force should be created by employing ex-servicemen
and local energetic youths from forest dwelling communities residing
in the villages of nearby proposed Tiger Reserve.
• This reserve should include not only areas of Mhadei Wildlife
Sanctuary but should include forested areas from Surla, Charavane,
Hivre (excluding human settlements), Cadval, Zadani, Pendral, Gulle,
Ponsuli, Anjune, Kelavade and Nandran, Caranzol, Sonavali areas of
Dudhsagar valley.
• Awareness drive should be carried out in collaboration with the
Education Department in the nearby schools of proposed Tiger
Reserve by establishing Tiger Clubs.
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• Workshops should be organised for Mahila Mandals, Panchayat
members.
• Incentives should be given to the students in the form of
scholarships.
• Health and transport facilities should be provided.
• Confidence should be built up that their life and livelihood would not
be threatened.
• Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa forest officials should be taken into
confidence in protecting the Tiger population by providing necessary
infrastructure.
• The presence of a Tigress with a cub was confirmed by Goa forest
officials and hence patrolling should be done by posting additional
trained guards with infrastructure.
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SACRED GROVES OF GOA
By Rajendra Kerkar
Sacred groves are indeed very old nature sanctuaries where not only
living but also non-living beings are afforded protection through the grace
of any one deity or spirit from traditions. In Goa, there are instances in
some sacred groves where the entire biological wealth receives total
protection on account of their association with some deity. Once through
various taboos related with them, the sacred groves have been completely
or nearly completely immune from human interference on grounds of
religious beliefs. These holy forests may range in size from a clump of
trees to as much as ten hectors in area. Though a grove is small in size, it
does not indicate that it is of less significance. Even in smaller groves
there are instances that they harbour some old and magnificent specimens
of trees and climbers. In some areas, these groves constitute a haven for
flora and fauna which would otherwise have become extinct species of
plant which have disappeared everywhere in the locality are seemed to be
present in the sacred groves. Today, unplanned developmental activities
are responsible for a massive deforestation and on account of this sacred
forest have come to be the only remnants of the original forest in a
number of cases. There are many instances of the occurrence of rare plant
species in the grove. In the Devachirai of Derode- sattari magnificent
specimens of Dhup tree (canarium strictum) are well preserved by the
local community.
In original form protection Forbade any interference with the biota of the
grove whatever, and not even leaf litter was allowed to lift up from it, nor
was grazing or hunting practiced within the grove and hence they
represented a sample of vegetation in its climax state. In view of the
protection and optimum growth condition prevailing in the sacred groves
some arboreal species exhibit their grandeur and become a fascinating
sight. Earlier, human beings were relied on sacred groves for supply of
various medicinal plants, shrubs, creepers .In order to pluck these plants
whenever required they had to perform some rituals to please the forest
God. Even today, in the remotest parts of Goa, locals who are still far
away from any rural health services, rush to sacred grove for herbal
medicines to get cure on their ailments.
In many villages, locals believe that the forest God or spirit would get
offended if the trees are cut, flowers or fruits are plucked or animals
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inside the sacred forest are harassed or killed. That is why; these are kept
unmolested and well preserved. The sacred groves are traditional
institutions that are deeply involved in conservation of not only few
individual species in isolation but also the large ecosystems.
List of Sacred Groves within the boundaries of Western Ghats of Goa
Sattari Taluka
1. Ajobachirai, Sattari - Keri
2. Maulichirai, Sattari - Vagheri (Keri)
3. Pishyachirai, Sattari – Keri
4. Biramnyachirai, Sattari - Keri
5. Sidhdachirai, Sattari - Morle
6. Thevanyachirai, Sattari - Saleli (Onda)
7. Shidhdachirai, Sattari – Saleli (Onda)
8. Devachirai, Sattari - Nagve
9. Holayechirai, Sattari - Caranzol
10. Ajobachitali, Sattari - Brahmakarmali
11. Devachirai, Sattari - Coparde
12. Dhupachirai, Sattari - Derode
13. Devachirai, Sattari - Satre
14. Poshyachirai, Sattari - Bondir (Caranzol)
15. Devachirai, Sattari Shelop – Khurd
16. Devachirai Sattari Surla
17. Panch amyachirai Sattari Surla
18. Nirankarachirai Sattari Maloli
19. Devachirai Sattari Pali
20. Devachirai Sattari Shel – Melavali
21. Devachirai Sattari Shiranguli
22. Devachirai, Sattari Assodde
23. Devachirai, Sattari Malpona
24. Devachirai, Sattari Shirsode
25. Devalachemol, Sattari Dabe
26. Devachirai, Sattari Bhironde
27. Devachirai, Sattari Golauli
28. Devachirai, Sattari Mauxi
29. Devachirai, Sattari Ivre – Budruk
30. Devachirai, Sattari Ivre – Khurd
31. Devachirai, Sattari - Pendral
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32. Devachirai, Sattari - Nanode
33. Satelichirai, Sattari – Caranzol
34. Badachirai, Sattari – Caranzol
35. Karalachirai, Sattari - Caranzol
36. Polyaphansachirai, Sattari – Gulle (Keri)
37. Jamachirai, Sattari – Gulle (Keri)
38. Nalakyachirai, Sattari – Gulle (Keri)
39. Mharinganachirai, Sattari - Ivre – Khurd
40. Umalichigothan, Sattari - Ivre – Khurd
41. Chonyachirai, Sattari – Charavane
42. Manyaghadyachirai, Sattari – Pali
43. Vagapedichirai, Sattari – Pali
44. Moshyachirai, Sattari –Pali
45. Vandevatechirai, Sattari - Coparde
46. Kutryakonachirai, Sattari – Coparde
47. Monobhairodongarachirai, Sattari – Coparde
48. Bheryechirai, Sattari – Rive
49. Ovalkarachirai, Sattari – Rive
50. Kugalyachirai, Sattari – Rive
51. Pakhlyachirai, Sattari – Golali
Canacona
1. Nasapann, Canacona – Gaondongari
2. Paikapann, Canacona - Gaondongari
3. Avali Dano Canacona Cotigao
4. Kuske Dano Canacona Cotigao
5. Badde Dano Canacona Cotigao
Sanguem
1. Paikapann Sanguem Neturlim
2. Nasapann, Sanguem – Nunde (Netravali)
3. Bhuipann, Sanguem – Verle
4. Paikapann Sanguem Salgini
5. Paikapann Sanguem Kumbhari
6. Paikapann Sanguem Bhati
7. Devadongor Sanguem Rivon
8. Devadongor, Sanguem - Rivon
9. Patryatali Devrai, Sanguem - Rivon
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10. Vaghryapann, Sanguem - Rivon
11. Devachirai, Sanguem – Caranzol
12. Brahminichirai, Sanguem – Taide (Tambdi Surla)
13. Barabhumkechirai, Sanguem – Boryali (Tambdi Surla)
14. Devachirai, Sanguem – Keri (Tambdi Surla)
15. Paikapann, Sanguem – Khachakon (Tambdi Surla)
16. Paikapann, Sanguem - Naikini
17. Mahadevachirai, Sanguem – Peri Sard – Tollem (Uge)
18. Paikarai, Sanguem – Tudov
19. Paikarai, Sanguem – Patye
20. Devachirai, Sanguem – Shigao
21. Paikarai, Sanguem – Juna (Netravali WLS)
Quepem
1. Paikapann Quepem Morpilla
2. Paikapann Quepem Cazur
3. Betalapann Quepem Barce
4. Vaghryapann Quepem Barce
5. Gadgyapann Quepem Barce
6. Siddhmaddi Quepem Barce
7. Shivapann Quepem Barce
8. Devipann Quepem Barce
9. Mahadevapann Quepem Barce
10. Durgadevipann Quepem Gokulde
11. Devatipann Quepem Bennudde
12. Kashepurushpann, Quepem – Cavare
13. Paikapanna, Quepem – Mangal
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Ecologically Sensitive Lateritic Plateaus of Western Ghats
M K Janarthanam
Department of Botany, Goa University, Goa – 403 206
The purpose of this presentation is to apprise the members of the
committee, the importance of plateaus in the scheme of Western Ghats as
they contribute to the ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’ status with their great
number of endemic plant species. However, the plateaus that contributed
to the number are now neglected. The sporadic but systematic studies
provide compelling data and reasons for considering them as ecologically
sensitive habitats.
Plateaus:
• Lateritic plateaus are predominant land forms along Konkan, Goa,
Kanara and Malabar.
• Two types of plateaus, viz. Coastal plateaus and hill top ‘table tops’
are seen.
• In Goa, Coastal plateaus vary in altitude from 40 m to 120 m amsl.
• They are source of several water springs and important landforms in
maintaining water table.
• They give barren appearance for most part of the year and with the
onset of the monsoon several hundred herbaceous species complete
their life cycle in succession.
• Plateaus and slopes are also with good tree and shrub vegetation.
• Various studies point to rich diversity of birds, butterflies, amphibians,
reptiles and lepidopteras on plateaus.
• Though famous phytogeographers such as Hooker recognised Malabar
as a single province that include coastal plains (including these
plateaus) and Western Ghats, later coastal plateaus have been slowly
left out of conservation concern.
• Plateaus provide compelling case for conservation and for inclusion
under Western Ghats System.
Endemic plant species:
• More than 140 endemic plant species of Western Ghats have been
recorded from Goa so far and the number is steadily increasing.
• Plateaus harbour the most of them; > 40 are exclusive to lateritic
plateaus, i.e single habitat species.
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• The related endemic species form a continuum from coastal plateaus
to Ghats. For example the genus Glyphochloa, which is endemic to
our region, is mostly present on lower lateritic plateaus with few
species extending to the altitude above 500 m.
• Eleven species appear in Red Data Book (of BSI) from Goa of which
seven are on lateritic plateaus.
• We are yet to get an account of genera such as Eriocaulon that are
abundant on plateaus.
• In the last 10 years, 5 new species have been published from plateaus
of Goa.
• One family (Hydatellaceae) that was endemic to Australia has been
recorded (with a new species) from Plateaus of Maharashtra. Now
reported from Goa, the family forms the second basal most clade
among the extant angiosperms.
Status of plateaus:
• Due to their barren appearance for most part of the year the plateaus
are considered ‘waste lands’.
• These endemic species rich plateaus, which contributed enormously
with their number to the ‘Biodiversity Hotspot’ status to the Western
Ghats are now under great threat.
We appeal to the Panel to identify these plateaus as ecologically
sensitive habitats and conserve the flora, fauna, and their
contribution to the water regime.
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The Western Ghats and Water Conservation Regime
By Kamlakar Sadhale
A LIVING ELEMENT OF NATURE CONTINUOUSLY IN A DYNAMIC STATE,
SILENTLY MOVING IN THE EARTH’S CRUST, IN THE BLOOD VEINS OF
ANIMALS, IN THE SAP OF THE TREES AND IN THE ATMOSPHERE AND
ALSO OVERCASTTING THE MIGHTY SUN, LIGHTENING, THUNDERING AND
SHOWERING DOWN THE EARTH, GURGLING, WHIRLING, GYRATING,
BUBBLING, SPARKLING TRANSPARENT – TRANSLUCENT LIVING ELEMENT
I.E. WATER
HIGHLY REVERED IN THE INDIAN CULTURE
AND PLACED AT THE HIGHEST POINT
OF THE HOLY EDIFICE -THE TEMPLE
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Goa is gifted with heavy monsoon rains of more than 2500 mm annually.
This is confined to 4 months of the year – June to September. It is the
western ghats range that helps the precipitation to this extent. The
precipitation increases to as much as 5000 mm as we move eastwards
towards the high ranges of the western ghats.
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As per geomorphology the water table level increases as we move
eastwards into the Western Ghats. From 10m above msl in the coastal
belt to 100m in the higher attitudes.
With the steep slopes and short lengths of the rivers, the water runs
swiftly to sea. Out of 8570mcm that collects in the rivers, nearly
8436mcm goes to the sea. However forests in the ghats play very
important role in holding back the rainwater and also protect the soil
from erosion. There are 8 main rivers in Goa. Except for the Sal and Baga
rivers all the others have their catchments in the Western Ghats. When
the rivers get down the ghats they come to the mean sea level (msl) and
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the water becomes saline. There are varied distances for different rivers
for the ingress of salt water of the sea due to tidal effects.
RIVER LENGTH
WITHIN THE
STATE
IN KM
LENGTH OF SALT
WATER INGRESS
IN KM
AREA OF
CATCHMENT
IN SQ.KM
AVG.
FLOW
IN MCM
1) TEREKHOL 26 26 71 164
2) CHAPORA 32 32 255 588
3) BAGA 10 10 50 116
4) MANDOVI 52 36 1580 3580
5) ZUARI 145 42 973 2247
6) SAL 40 14 301 694
7) TALPONA 32 7 233 575
8) GALGIBAGA 14 4 90 187
TOTAL 351 KM 171 KM 3553 SQ.KM
It is evident here that nearly 50% of the length of the river is saline,
while 50% in the Ghats is freshwater. Therefore rivers in the Western
Ghats portion only can be harnessed for domestic, agriculture and
industrial use.
Water being the single largest common element vital for life and
development, its conservation for regular and sufficient supply
throughout the year is of great importance. Therefore management of
the catchments should take precedence over all other development
activities. Ecologically healthy watershed alone can assure an abundant
supply of water. Moreover, forests in the Western Ghats play an
important role in checking the surface run off and siltation.
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Almost 50% of the catchments of the rivers except the Baga and Sal,
have their catchments in the Ghats. The Terekhol, Chapora, Mandovi
and Zuari rivers have their watersheds beyond the boundary of Goa.
The construction of dams proposed earlier by the government were put
aside due to objections noting the threat of serious damage being done
to the eco-system of the western ghats.
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Almost all the water harnessing structures constructed by the water
resources department on these rivers, are in the Western Ghats region,
establishing the fact of Goa’s dependence on water from this area.
Serious consideration therefore, needs to be given to the factors
affecting the quality and quantum of water in this region. In Sanguem
taluka alone there are 47 bandharas to augment the water supply
scheme of the Opa water works and the Selaulim dam.
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There are no major industries in this area except the Usgao industrial
area (including the Madras Rubber Factory and the Sanjeevani Sahakari
Sakhar Karkhana at Darbandora) in close proximity of the Opa works,
Goa's major water supply establishment. The hazardous waste disposal
site proposed at Darbandora, a few kilometres upstream of Opa is a
matter of concern given it is just a kilometre from the river bank.
This region is a sparsely populated area. There are no big urban
settlements causing immediate threat of sewage pollution. However the
towns of Quepem and Sanguem are along river banks and their future
expansion makes the rivers vulnerable. Therefore proper provision
should be made in zoning and in building regulations to leave a
sufficiently wide no-development belt along the rivers and other water
bodies.
As clear felling by forest department has been stopped, siltation by soil
erosion due to forest practices has been largely curtailed. However
plantation of monoculture species of eucalyptus, acacia, rubber, and
cashew needs to be handled properly. Introducing indigenous mixed
species and ground cover will help.
There are number of horticulture gardens and few paddy cultivation
areas in small patches. Although siltation and pollution by agro-
chemicals is not significant, alternatives should be worked out to find
substitutes to increasing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
Diverting the rivers flowing down the ghats altering the hydrological
aspect of the ghats region is another threat created by damming the
tributaries of Mhadei river (even against the stay imposed by the
Supreme Court).
The biggest single threat to the water conservation process and to the
water bodies is mining. Mining concessions cover nearly 8% of Goa area,
with 70% of them being in forests. 90% of government forests fall in the
Western Ghats, as do a major portion of the mining concessions.
Considering the area excavated for mining, more than two or three that
area is required to dump mining rejects. If one adds additional infra-
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structure such as roads, washing and beneficiation plants, and tailing
ponds, it becomes four times the area of actual mining. This will cause
devastation of one third of Goa and lead to the total destruction of our
water bodies.
The report of the Task Force on the eco-development plan for Goa,
headed by Dr. M.S. Swaminathan and published in 1982 is perhaps the
first comprehensive report drawing attention to the damage to water
sources by deforestation, siltation, pollution and depletion of ground
water and suggesting a number of remedial measures.
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Twenty eight years have passed and many other similar studies have
been published, including:
1) The TERI Report on Goa's mining belt published in 1997;
2) The Influence of Open Cast Mining on Ground Water Domain by G.T.
Marathe, IIT Powai;
3) Status of Ground Water Availability and Recharge by B.S. Chowdhri
and A.G. Chachadi.
4) Assessment of Depletion of Ground Water Sources and Land
Degradation in Siridao village and Mitigation Measures submitted by
National Environmental Research Institute (NERI), Nagpur, to the
High Court of Bombay, Goa Bench;
5) Regional Plan of Goa prepared by the Task Force headed by Architect
Charles Correa.
All of these reports have underlined almost the same points put forth by
the Dr. Swaminathan report and have brought out new facts which
prove that the concerns about mining hazards expressed earlier need to
be taken seriously.
1110 ha of forest has been already diverted to mining. The mining belt
covers a swathe of 700 sq.km. 56 mines are in the eco-sensitive zone
including the Opa water works and Selaulim dam and have caused
contamination of the water. Agriculture has been severely affected. The
water quality of rivers and streams has been affected by discharge of
waste water from mine pits, waste from beneficiation plants and run off
from the dumps (some of the dumps have reached the height of 50m!).
Sedimentation is profuse in paddy fields and water bodies. The
Talaulikar mine at Sancordem is at a distance of 50m from the Ragada
river now heavily silted as a result, and the mining depth below the river
bed. The spot near the mine was once used by villagers to cross the
river by country craft. Now the water is not even knee high and they can
cross the river on foot.
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The reports recommend that no open cast mines should be permitted
within the catchment area of irrigation projects. They also recommend
that de-watering the mining pits should be banned. The export of ore in
2000 was 16 m.t. In 2009-10 and this tripled to 46 m.t. There is a trend
to accelerate mining in the state going by applications to government
for the revival of mining concessions. The Mandovi, Sal and Zuari basins
are found to be water deficient area after estimating the demands of
various sectors.
1016 mcm for drinking
1826 mcm for agriculture and others
Although mining has been projected as economic backbone of goa, this
is not the reality. Mining occupies 8% of Goa’s land and contributes only
4.2% of the state's GDP. Again mining is a highly unsustainable activity
exhausting the non renewable resources of the state for all future
generations to come.
The policy of the industries department appears unduly prejudiced.
Ecological considerations are given short shrift. Over a long period of
time it has been observed that the administration has grossly failed to
curtail the ecological losses even within the existing set of rules.
Therefore it would be advisable to avoid totally the entry of mining
activity in the areas of western ghats.
In view of the above considerations we suggest as below:
1) No new mines should be allowed in the western ghats region and in
the buffer zone of 3 km from the boundary of protected areas of
national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.
2) Existing mines in this area should take up the remedial measures to
rectify the damages done. Active mines should be asked to workout
a phased program for their closure within the specified time frame
of not more than 5 years. The program for closure should include
restoration of the landform and re-vegetation of the same
(including the area covered by infrastructure). Mining rejects should
be used to fill up the mining pit.
24
3) Western ghats authority should be constituted armed with
sufficient powers to scrutinize the activity and to stop mining if
required.
4) One wing of the authority should closely monitor the quality and
quantity of the main river flow. It should reward or penalize the
upstream user for downstream quality and quantity of water.
5) De-watering the mining pits should be totally banned.
6) All the dumps of the rejects should be properly mapped with all the
necessary records and should be vegetated in a systematic manner.
No new dumping site be allowed in the western ghats area.
7) The watershed catchment condition should be studied and
monitored by aerial survey/aerial photographers.
8) Diversions of the rivers or their tributaries (as in the case of Mhadei
river) should not be allowed.
9) There should be no-development belt of appropriate width along
the rivers and other natural perennial water bodies.
10) No new highways should be constructed across the Sahyadri range.
11) No big industry or new big urban settlement should be allowed in
the western ghats region.
12) No big dams should be constructed. Small bandharas as going on to-
day are acceptable.
13) There are number of good suggestions in eco-development plan
and regulations framed before and after that, for the protection of
the environment. Their implementation is lax. The same should be
enforced effectively.
25
The Shirigao Tragedy: Shape of the Future to Come
SHIRIGAO MINE HAS BORNE THE BRUNT OF MINING FOR NEARLY HALF A
CENTURY. OLDER PEOPLE HAVE WITNESSED THE DEGRADATION OF THIS
VILLAGE STEP BY STEP TO THE STAGE OF TOTAL DISASTER. FIRST THE
LANDSCAPE GOT DISTURBED. FOLIAGE STARTED GETTING A COATING OF
MINING DUST. AS THE VEGETATION STARTED DISAPPEARING, THE
WEATHER CHANGED AND AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES STARTED
DISAPPEARING. THE TOPOGRAPHY GOT TOTALLY CHANGED. THE
VILLAGE TEMPLE WAS A SMALL PRETTY TEMPLE OF DEVI LAIRAI, A DEITY
WORSHIPPED IN THE FORM OF A KALASH OF WATER. THE TEMPLE WAS
REPLACED WITH ‘GENEROUS’ GRANTS FROM MINING COMPANIES AND
MADE BIGGER. THE YEARLY ZATRA OF THIS PLACE IS BIGGEST ZATRA IN
GOA, FAMOUS FOR A SECT OF DEVOTEES WALKING ON FIRE. NOW TO
BURN THE FIRE, WOOD IS TO BE PROCURED FORM OUTSIDE. THESE
DEVOTEES BEFORE WALKING ON FIRE HAVE TO TAKE DIP IN THE WATER
OF THE HOLY NATURAL TANK. NOW THE WELLS IN THE VILLAGE HAVE
DRIED UP. THE TANK IS ALSO DRYING. THERE IS NO PURE WATER IN THE
VILLAGE TO FILL UP THE HOLY KALASH SYMBOLIZING THE DEITY. THE
VILLAGE WITH ITS CULTURE, ITS HERITAGE AND THE DEITY HAS TO
MIGRATE ONLY TO ENRICH THE BANK BALANCES OF MINING
COMPANIES.
26
Economic Perspective of Mining for Western Ghats Ecology
For the consideration of WGEEP; presented before them on 27/09/2010
at NIO by Rajendra Kakodkar, Anthony Simoes and Rahul Goswami
1. The exponential growth in mining is due to the robust growth in
infrastructure development in China. The main inputs required for
infrastructure development are energy, steel, cement and copper. This is
the prime reason why the prices of primary inputs oil, coal, iron ore and
copper ore have swelled by over 10 fold in last decade. China with US$
2 trillion forex reserves and ever increasing current account surplus is in
a position to boost this further for years to come. Western Ghats are not
endowed with reserves of oil, coal and copper ore and as such the boom
therein is not of worry for the ecology of Western Ghats. On the other
hand, the Western Ghats have iron ore, of which the prices have
surged 10 fold and profits have zoomed 50 fold in the last eight years.
The fortunes therein are much sought after by the wealthy and the
mighty. The greed of miner-politician combine is the main challenge
the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel will need to overcome in the
present economic context.
2. The data on mining and reserves which is currently available is
outdated. While the prices of iron ore spiked ten-fold (CAGR 80%) in the
last eight years, the mining costs rose less than 10% a year. Result:
hematite iron ores with as low as 45% Fe content are now
economically viable. Also ores at greater depth can be profitably mined.
Whereas the entire regulatory, research and economic set-up of the
government is still using old data based on economic viability cut-off at
60% to 63% Fe content depending on location. This means the figure of
reserves (by GSI) needs to be re-assessed in light of the changed
perspective. Also the area covered by exploitable ore has risen
significantly, so-much-so that the entire Western Ghat from Ambaghat
(Ratnagiri-Kolhapur Road) to Sakleshpur (Manglore-Hassan Road) is
today a potential mine and therefore risks degradation due to legal,
illegal and uncontrolled mining.
3. Mineral resources in Karnataka WG (As per GSI data): The Western
Ghats contain about 80% of the known magnetite resources of the
27
country. Major deposits are in the Aroli, Kudremukh, Kodachadri and
Thirtabare area. The Aroli-Kudremukh deposits are being exploited to
the tune of 22 million tons/year by the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company
Ltd. The Aroli-Kudremukh deposits contain about 1000 million tonnes of
iron ore and the Kodachadri-Thirtabare deposits about 570 million
tonnes. Several small hematite deposits in close association with the
manganese deposits are reported along a 130 km long N-S belt between
Mirjan and Palda. The larger deposits are near Anmod, Badagur,
Talginkere, Mavingudi and Kalche. Several bands of crystalline to
dolomitic and siliceous limestone are found in the vicinity of Hebbal,
Godemane, Natarge, Ganeshagudi and Castle Rock. The manganese belt
extends for 130 km between Mirjan and Palda, in which the important
deposits are around Supa and Dandeli.
4. Mineral resources in Goa WG (GSI data): Peninsular Gneisses are
well exposed in Anmod Ghat section along the Panaji-Ponda-Londa
highway. Quepem in central Goa and Chauri in the south, when
Ranebennur Subgroup of Shimoga belt further extend north and
northwesterly into Goa in response to the variation in their litho-
spectrum and in accordance to the stratigraphic guidelines, they are
assigned with the local name called 'Goa Group' which is further divided
into four formations. Though Goa has a limited area of 3701 sq.km, it is
well endowed with economic mineral deposits, particularly iron and
manganese ores. The in situ reserves of about 967 million tons of the
hematite, 187 million tons of magnetite and 83.1 million tons of
manganese ore respectively constitute 8.00%, 3.08% and 22.4% of the
total resources estimated for the country. Because of their proximity to
the sea port, they are being mined extensively for export. The width of
the ore bearing zone varies from place to place. It is 3.5 to 4.4 km from
north of Assonora upto River Madei. South of River Madei, there are two
strips, each about 1 km wide; occurring in a ‘V’ shape. The northeastern
one extends from Balcornem to Sonal. The southwestern band extends
from Poicul to Sancordem, south of Molem and Darbandora road. The
zone extends in a roughly E-W direction between Viliena to Bargacho
Dongar for a length of 280.92 m in east-west direction and Curdi to
Salginim in north-south direction. There are also isolated small
occurrences along the coast near Betul and Canaguinim. Detailed
exploration carried out by GSI for iron ores in North Goa resulted in
establishing in situ reserves of 1061 million tonnes of 62.62% Fe grade
28
haematite ore; and 144 million tonnes of magnetite ore. A total of 680
million tonnes of ores of all grades are estimated in South Goa. All
Manganese deposits of economic significance are confined to the
southern part of Goa viz. Rivona, Canvorem, Salginim, Verlem, Columba,
Netrolim, Muriem, Pirla and Cosmor areas. The Salginim and Verlem
deposits are estimated at about 23.56 million tonnes.
5. There is a basic difference on the basis of beneficiaries in the
exploitation of mineral resources in Karnataka (rather rest of India) and
Goa. While in Karnataka over 70% minerals are exploited by state
controlled public sector units like NMDC and MML, the entire mineral
resources in Goa are exploited by private parties dominated by handful
families. PSUs have systems, are under RTI, are answerable to people
and therefore their mining practices are ecologically and
environmentally more sound and adhering to law and ethics. The
objective of most private parties is to maximize gains. Also, the profits in
mining are too high and earned without commensurate sweat.
Consequentially, it does not pain to spend it lavishly on politicians,
bureaucrats and media. Money and muscle power is employed to divide
people and thereby stifle opposition.
6. In the entire Western Ghat range, Goa portion is the most
disturbed. The iron ore exports of Goa origin surged from 14 million
tons in 2000 to 46 million tons in the fiscal 2009-10 according to the
reply by the Chief Minster in the Legislative Assembly. These are
provisional figures based on royalty payments.
7. Leader of Opposition has alleged that illegal mining which is not
reported in government figures is 20%. This means as much as 10 million
tons additional ore is mined and sold without payment of royalty. This is
valued at Rs 4000 crore. Ref: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/BJP-
may-demand-CBI-inquiry-into-illegal-mining-in-Goa/683933
http://www.vamban.com/news/goa-house-panel-wants-cbi-to-probe-
illegal-mining/
29
8. Due to lack of road infrastructure, all the ore extracted could not be
exported and a stock equivalent to one month output remained at the
pit-head. This volume is estimated to be at least 4 million tones.
9. A large quantity of ore is beneficiated after extraction. Beneficiation
results into ultrafine ore getting lost as tailings into tailing ponds, rivers
and fields. The tailing loss of mineral ranges 6% to 10%. Assuming that
25 million tons was beneficiated, tailing loss is estimated at 2 million
tons.
10. A large quantity of ore is lost during storage, transportation and
handling due to ground loss, spillage on roads, ore carried away by wind
and ore washed away by rain into rivers, fields and reservoirs. Such
losses are 3% to 6%. On 50 million ton handling, this loss is around 2
million ton.
11. Adding tonnages of items 6 to 10, we arrive that the total iron ore
extracted in Goa during 2009-10 was around 64 million tons.
12. On an average, for every ton of ore mined, 2.7 tons of overburden
and rejection is dug out of the earth and dumped on the surface creating
man made mountains. For 2009-10, such rejects are estimated to be
170 million tons.
13. Thus the excavation in Goa, which is along the edge of the
Western Ghats was of the tune of 230 million tons in 2009-10.
14. This is expected to swell further at the same trajectory it has been
growing in the recent times (CAGR of 15%). This is because the Profits in
mining sector are very high and such profits are not commensurate
with efforts and risks. In 2002, the price of average Goan iron ore was $
15/ton and the profit was around $2/ton. Currently the price has
jumped to $ 120/ton and the profit has sky rocketed $90/ton. An
operating profit margin of 75% is not seen in any legitimate business in
30
India or the world. One miner rightly sums up “We are not earning;
money is pouring from the sky.”
15. The investment, efforts and risks involved are meager compared
to other sectors. The technology involved is also run of the mill and
there are no quality constraints in today’s sellers’ market. Summarily,
the level of efforts involved in mining does not justify the huge profits.
Compare the effort-risk-return matrix of mining with other sectors: Tata
Motors, Tata steel, Maruti, L&T, BHEL, Zuari, MRF have OPM in the
range of 12-20%. Top tech companies Infosys, WIPRO, TCS have 25-35%
and other tech companies 15-25%. Miners are minting money without
efforts and risk. Australia has mooted 30% super-profit tax on miners to
remove the skew in the distribution of riches, the Mother Earth has
bestowed.
16. Most of the mining companies in Goa are private, closely-held and
owned by handful of families. Their financial figures are not in public
domain. Sesa is the only company whose annual report was available.
During 2009-10, Sesa earned pre-tax profit of Rs. 3445 crore on a iron
ore sale of 14 million tons. This means average profit per ton was Rs
2500/ton. At this level of profit and on an export of 46 million ton legal
ore, it is estimated that the pre-tax profit of all Goan miners during
2009-10 was Rs 11,500 crores. Another Rs. 2500 crore was possibly
earned on 10 million ton illegal ore. These amounts are huge compared
to the economy of Goa, with fiscal budgetoutlay of Rs 6000 crore and
tax revenues of Rs 2700 crore.
17. The distribution of these super profits is estimated as under: Top
four (Sesa, Salgaokars, Timblos and Chougules) shared 83%, Midddle six
(Mangalji, Tarcar, Bandekar, Bandodkar, Agarwal, Velingkar) shared 10%
and the rest shared 7%.
18. Now coming to the profits for the current year: Sesa declared Rs
1600 crore pre-tax profit for April-June 2010 quarter. This is effectively
2-month profit as the export halt in June due to rain. For the full year, a
profit of Rs 6000 crore (on 8-month operation basis) looks likely. The
31
projected profit of legal mining in Goa for 2010-11 is estimated at Rs
18,000 crore. Illegal miners could earn Rs 3000 crore more.
19. Such a windfall is prompting miners to excavate as if there is no
tomorrow and with blatant disregard to ecology, environment, people,
law and ethics.
20. Illegalities are blatant in connivance with politicians, forest officials,
police and Pollution Control officials. And this is going on at the edge of
the Western Ghats.
21. Though mining has had always been a liability to environment and
ecology, Sesa under Mitsui of Japan was better of the lot. It was taken
over by the Vedanta few years ago. Since then, despite the local
management remaining the same, the people perceive a policy shift.
There are allegations of hurting ecology and environment. The latest
update on NSE shows that 83% of Sesa shares are held by foreigners.
22. Miners create an air of employment they create. Study reveals that
8000 truck owners make Rs 250 crore a year and 12000 direct/indirect
labor make Rs 200 crore annually. This accounts for only 20000 of the 17
lakh population of Goa. Remaining 99% population gets only nuisance,
hardships and financial loss. Truck owners who have invested their hard
earned savings have no security in the events such as Karnataka export
ban, China low-grade ore ban etc. Over 10000 indirect labors are in
unorganized sector. They are paid low salaries and have no security like
provident fund.
23. Mining – the biggest nuisance in Goa: Excavation affects ecology,
environment and posterity. Mining consists of excavation, dressing and
haulage. Nuisances due to haulage are felt more by the people as they
affects the day-to-day life. Dust pollution, traffic jams, deaths under
mining trucks are everyday problems. Students reach late to school,
employees reach late for work. Dust makes them sick in school, office
and at home. Due to traffic jams, supply of food grains and other
commodities is affected resulting in higher costs and prices. People have
32
to spend more on cleaning dust and painting frequently, and on health
due to respiratory diseases. Doctors have complained that lung and ear
related infections reoccur after treatment and cure. Due to sickness,
efficiency is low, hence productivity is reduced. Though agitations
against nuisance of pollution and mining traffic are order of the day, only
one in four events are reported in media.
24. Police and administration are hand-in-glove with miners. Goa’s
Leader of Opposition has exposed this nexus. Ref:
http://www.oheraldo.in/news/Local%20News/hellip-hints-at-police-
illegal-mining-nexus/40569.html
25. Over the last three years, agricultural yield has fallen. Horticultural
income has reduced by 30%. On inflation adjusted basis incomes have
halved. Goa Economic Survey 2009-10 admits that agriculture output
(at constant prices) in Goa fell 20% from Rs 922 crore in 2006 to Rs 735
crore in 2009. In terms of output tonnages, Paddy reduced 20% from
221K tons 2006 to 177K tons in 2009. Vegetables reduced 32% from 83K
tons in 2006 to 58K tons in 2009. Mangoes reduced 56% from 27K tons
in 2006 to 7.5K tons in 2009. Cashew nuts reduced 52% from 27K tons in
2006 to 13K tons in 2009.
26. Miners circumvent rules and orders. Even after complaining,
enforcing authorities turn Nelson’s Eye. Miners divide people using
money and muscle power. They attack complainants. Agitators like Adv.
John Fernandes are beaten by mining contractors in the police station
in front of tens of policemen, who did not intervene because the miners
probably throw dimes regularly at them.
SUMMARY: Ten-fold rise in iron ore prices, has made low grade and
deep seated ores economically viable. Ditto with Manganese ores and
bauxite except that the price rise is lower. Result: A large portion of
Western Ghats has become potentially mineable. If re-assessed with
lower cut-off grade, the reserves as well as the area under viable
deposits would swell much higher than the current GSI data. Policy
makers need to re-frame their strategy in light of the new perspective.
33
WGEEP needs to understand well the new threats to the WG ecology
that have reared their ugly head recently. WGEEP must also high-light
in their report the new perspective, which the policy makers in Delhi
do not seem to be aware of. The intensity of the adverse effects is
much higher on the small state of Goa. Reason: though Goa has merely
0.1% area of the nation, it accounts 25% of India iron ore mining and
almost 50% of iron ore exports of India. While, the projected fiscal
budget outlay of Goa is Rs 6000 crore and tax revenues are Rs 2700
crore, projected profits of Goan miners (a sector of industry) are over
Rs 20000 crore. Such huge imbalances in themselves are enough
pointers to deduce that the environment and the ecology are
guillotined at the altar of business.
34
Colomba Village in the Western Ghats: a case study of police brutality
and the erosion of public health
By Durgadas Gaonkar, Dr. Avadoot Prabhudesai, Advocate John
Fernandes, Rama Velip and Sebastian Rodigues.
While Quepem taluka in South Goa has 25,396 tribal people, the
adjacent taluka of Sanguem has 15,602, most according to the survey
report on Scheduled Tribes of Goa (Gawda, Kunbi and Velip) published
by department of Social welfare in February 2004. either wage
employed or self-employed in agriculture. Both these talukas are the
targets of predatory mining industry and tribal people have their survival
at stake.
This report accounts for some indicators of change in tribal habitation in
Goa with special focus on the revenue village Colamb in Rivona
Panchayat of Sanguem taluka. While Colomba falls in Sanguem, it shares
a border with Quepem and has a population of 2594 people as per the
2001 census, with 1514 of these belonging to the Scheduled Tribes
communities of Gawda and Velips.The educational levels of people here
are relatively low.
While Colomba has a total land area of 1929 hectares, it is also covered
by 23 colonial mining leases/concessions granted by Portuguese before
1961 and yet to be cancelled. These leases cover 1510 hectares of land
in a village where people are dependent upon agriculture and the forest
for their livelihood. This village is also a part of the catchment area of
the Selaulim dam that supplies water to all of South Goa. Nearly 5 mines
(efforts are on to start several more) are in operation in the village and
have caused both hardship and risk to the villagers' lives and support
systems. Villagers rose in revolt enmasse in 2007 and have since then
continued their agitation pushing the issue of mining centre stage in
Goa. Villagers have been booked under various criminal cases chiefly by
the Fomento mining company that operates Hiralal Khodidas mining
lease. Various villagers have been affected with negative health effects
and hostile socio-economic fallouts.
35
The legal entanglement
The villagers have been the consistent target of Fomento's strategy of
filing criminal cases against anyone involved in protest against the
company. Although this is evident all over Goa this paper is restricted in
its scope only to Colomba. The company has so far filed 69 criminal cases
at Quepem Police station. In all these cases charge-sheets are filed and
court cases going on before JMFC Sanguem.
In addition to this Fomentos has also filed civil case no. 23/08 before civil
judge, Senior Dvision, Quepem by the legal heirs of Hiralal Khodidas
mine Uday Gosalia against 80 people from Colomba. This mine is
operated by Fomentos. The corporate hold over the Judiciary can be
gazed from the fact that Ex-parte order was granted by Quepem Court
against the villagers – without hearing the side of the villagers. Gosalia
subsequently has filed two contempt petition against Colomba villagers
for violating Court injunction.
The list of criminal cases includes as follows:
1. Case Cr. 43/s/2010 against seven people under section 143, 341, 506,
r/w 149 IPC for the offence of restraining of trucks into Hiralal Khodidas
Mine and threatening staff and security personnel of the complainant,
Chandrakant Patil, Mines Manager of Hiralal Khodidas mine. The seven
people in this case includes Egypt D’souza, Rama Velip, Motesh Antao,
Dumena D’Souza, Tulsidas Velip (whose house has developed cracks due
to blasting by Fometos), Babani Amolkar, and Chandrakala Gaonkar. The
complaint was filed on 28/11/2008.
2. Case Cr. 15/s/2009 before JMFC Sanguem against Tedoz Antao under
sections 341, 323, 427, 506 (II) of IPC, the offence being the wrongful
restraining of the complainant, assault with fist blows, damage to
spectacles. The complainant here is Yeswant Salunke, Security officer,
Hiralal Khodidas. He filed this complaint on 14/11/2008 while the
offence was allegedly committed on 13/11/2008.
3. Case Cr. 71/s/2008 before JMFC, Sanguem against 7 people under
sections 143, 147, 447, 341, 606 (II), 427, 504, r/w 149 IPC. The seven
people here include Egypt D’Souza, Telu Dias, Rama Velip, Motesh
Antao, Dumiana D’Souza, Shanta Velip, and Xavier Fernandes. The
complainant Surya Naik has given his description on police records as
‘agent of Fomento’. It is purported that a house and car was damaged
36
by the accused on 13/11/2008. So far ten hearings of this case have
taken place and Inspecting Offfcer (I/O) Arvind Nagekar has remained
absent in all instances. As a result the judicial process has got stuck and
people have to repeatedly make trips to the courts. The ten instances
when this case came up for hearing includes 1/12/09, 30/12/09,
12/1/10, 15/2/10, 23/3/10, 26/4/10, 6/7/10, 31/7/10, 21/8/10, and
18/9/10.
4. Case Cr. 70/s/2008 before JMFC, Sanguem against 22 people under
section 143, 147, 148, 341, 352, 447, 504, 506 (II) r/w 149 IPC. The 22
people include Egypt D’souza, Rama Velip, Ruzario Antao, Simao Antao,
Chandrakant Gaonkar, Tulsidas Velip, Sulaksha Gaonkar, Tedoz Antao,
Vithoba Gaonkar, Vincent Dias, Motesh Antao, Manuel Dias, Dumen
D’suza, Purso Gaonkar, Telu Dias, Salvador Dias, Rajnikant Velip, Jason
Sequira, Sebastiao D’souza, Natividade Fernandes, Shanta Velip and
Palmira Dias. The date of offence is 21/1/2008. The nature of offence is
unlawful assembly, being armed with dandas, trespass into mining
premises, wrongfully restraining, abusing and threatening complainant
and other mine staff. The complainant here is Atul Bokade, Mines
Manager, Hiralal Khodidas Mines.
5. Case Cr. 1/s/2009 against 17 people under section 143, 147, 447, 341,
506 (II), 427, 504 r/w 149 IPC. The 17 people include Utabai Velip, Surya
Gaonkar, Telu Dias, Egypt D’souza, Kalavati Velip, Vincent Dias, Dumena
D’souza, Chandrakant Gaonkar, Premdas Velip, Alexo Dias, Agnelo
D’souza, Caitan Barreto, Baby Dias, Bhagirathi Velip, Shanta Velip, Gouca
Antao, and Kalidas Naik Gaonkar. Date of offence is 30/12/2008. the
nature of the offence is unlawful assembly, trespass into mine premises,
wrongfully restraining mine workers, and abusing and threatening them.
The complainant here is again Atul Bokade, Mines Manager, Hiralal
Khodidas Mines.
6. Case cr. 72/s/2008 against 15 people under section 143, 341, r/w 149
IPC. The 15 people include Arjun Velip, Tulsidas Velip, Rama Velip,
Motesh Antao, Egyp D’Souza, Telu Dias, Vincent Dias, Rajanikant Velip,
Salvador Fernandes, Kalidas Velip, Arjun Velip, Kalidas Desai, Puso
Gaonkar, Franky Antao, and Arjun L. Velip. Date of offence is 8/10/2007
and its nature that of unlawful assembly, blocking the road and stopping
the staff of Hiralal Khodidas mine from entering the mine premises. The
complainant is again Atul Bokade, Mines Manager, Hiralal Khodidas
37
Mines. Only this case has been closed after being discharged by the
court.
All the above cited cases reflect increasing tension in the village created
due to mining companies receiving thr backing of the police. This nexus
becomes evident when one examines the record the police in pursuing
the cases filed by mining companies’ vis-à-vis cases filed by people
against mining companies. The police have a 100% follow up to charge-
sheet level when mining companies are the complainants. The police
have got 0% record of pursuing the cases file by people of Colomba
against the mining companies. The people of Colamba have filed number
of cases although the police are yet to file a single charge-sheet!
The villagers complaints can be listed below as follows:
1. On 19/11/2007 villagers of Colomba, Kevona filed a complaint before
Quepem police station against Rajesh Zambaulekar and Rupesh
Zambaulekar – the mining agents of Timblos and Fomento mine. The
nature of offence being that Egypt D’Souza was obstructed and his
vehicle pelted with stones. He was threatened and physically
manhandled while proceeding from Tilamol to Colomba. The police did
not take any cognizance of this.
2. On 13/6/2008 Gawda, Kunbi, Velip and Dhangar Federation
(GAKUVED) filed complaint against manger of Hiralal Khodidas mines for
releasing water in Paddy fields. The police took no action.
3. On 19/11/2008 Farmers of Colomba filed complaint against Romaldo
Rebello, Bostiao Simoes, Mahadev Devidas, Dinu Devidas, Anton, Arun
Naik, Ramnath Velip, Kushali Velip, Dyaneshwar Naik, Suryakant Naik,
and Dilip Devidas. The nature of the complaint being physical
manhandling and the complainant, Rama Velip. The police took no
action.
4. On 10/11/2008 Rama Velip filed complaint against Hiralal Khodidas
Mine at Quepem Police station for destroying paddy fields, coconut
garden and water bodies by releasing muddy water in the Kushawati
River. The police took no action.
5. On 26/11/2008 villagers of Colomba filed complaint at Quepem Police
station complaining of transportation of iron ore through forest area in
38
violation of High court order. The complaint was signed by Motesh
Antao, Fr. Mathias D’Cunha and Rama Velip. The police took no action.
6. On 5/12/2008 United farmers of Colomba filed complaint at Quepem
police station regarding illegal operation of mine by Hiralal Khodidas.
Complaint signed by Motesh Antao. Police took no action.
7. On 14/1/2010 Dumena D’souza filed a complaint at the Quepem
Police station against mines managers of nine mines operating in
Quepem and Sanguem talukas for overloading trucks, endangering
public health, polluting the air, and causing danger to public life. The
case was filed under section 268, 269, 270, 278 of IPC, section 133 of
Cr.PC, Section 40 of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) 1981 and
under section 2(22) and 37 of Goa Public Health Act 1985. The nine
mines which are mentioned in this complaint includes: V.S. Dempo T.C.
no. 7/50 operation in Rivona; V.S. Dempo T.C. no. 3/51 operating in
Curpem; Badruddin Mavany T.C. no. 14/52 operating in Colomba; Vangi
Bindi Advona iron ore mine T.C. no. 10/51 operating in Sulcorna and
owned by M/s Haidar Kasim Khan; Gogoro Ou Gulcon Dongor Iron Ore
mine T.C. no. 06/49 operating in Colomba and owned by Hiralal
khodidas; Polo Dongor Iron Ore mIne T.C. no. 65/51 operating in Curpem
owned by G.F. Figueiredo; Gotifonda Tembo Colomab Iron ore mine T.C
no. 75/52 owned by Vaicunt Cadnekar; Unonatlo dongor Iron Ore Mine
T.C. no. 17/49 operating in Colomba and owned by Pai Palondikar; and
Chunimol Dongor Iron ore mine T.C. no. 28/52 operating at Xivsorem,
Rivona. The police took no action.
The police have been biased against people in processing the cases. The
Goa government’s policy towards mining in tribal areas is reflected from
this fact. The bias of police in favor of mining industry and against
people is clearly visible. The fall out of this situation is the drastic loss of
citizens’ confidence in the police force. Moreover, since local people are
against the mining industry for various reasons, the police force has
been used by the mining industry to protect itself.
Agriculture suffers
Agriculture was practiced by everyone in the village of Colomba before
mining began. Due to rampant mining activities, the paddy fields of
Colomba have suffered a drastic reduction of yield. Dument D’Souza
who owns a piece of agricultural land that her family cultivates used to
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harvest 2000 kg of rice before Fomentos started operation of Hiralal
Khodidas mine. This has dropped to 900 kg of rice yield after mining
company regularly releases mining silt into the paddy fields.
Coconut plantations too have suffered a reduction in yield due to
mining. The problems to agriculture are further exacerbated with the
release of water from mining pit mixed with lime soda, into the fields.
Response of the mining company managers with regard to discharge of
mining silt into the paddy fields is to tell the villagers to remove and
company will pay the cost. Villagers however refuse to accept money
from mining company.
Agriculture is also threatened due to mining going below ground water
and drying up water bodies in Colamba. This is particularly true in case of
Badruddin Mavany mine operated by Radha Timblo. Large number of
vegetables that used to be cultivated in Muscavrem, Colomba, are no
more to be found. The land has been taken over for mining, the
Kushavati River polluted, and village water bodies such as natural springs
and wells dried up. This is fast becoming a reality in number of other
areas of Colomba and surrounding villages with number of mining
companies beginning their operations.
The situation can be reverted only with closing down mines and
cancelling all the mining leases in this and surrounding villages.
Public health suffers
A number of public health hazards have surfaced with mining in
Colomba and neighboring villages. Dust pollution, noise pollution and
heavy vehicular traffic have posed life threatening danger to the
villagers. Besides, the entry of large number of migrant workers from
various parts of India has caused the spread of HIV infection in mining
belt. Incidences of alcoholism has also increased.
The mining of Ferrous and Manganese in these localities has led to the
release of impurities in the air. The impurities includes silica and
magnesium. The inhalation of air polluted with these impurities causes
numoconiosis, also known as ‘dust-in-the-lung’ phenomenon. In
Colomba the movement of trucks is through the middle of the village.
The road used by trucks is also used by school children, and women to
fetch water and go about their daily chores. The road that can
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comfortablly around 50 bus trips per day is now burdened with nearly
5000 truck trips filled with ore. A number of people in Colomba and
neighboring villages have contacted lung diseases such as tuberculosis
after mining activities began here nearly seven years ago. For children
below 3 years respiratory problem is acute. 90 percent of people in the
mining belt suffer from one or other type of respiratory disease. Gattier,
Rivona is one locality that has witnessed mass scale contraction of
tuberculosis to its residents directly due to the mine in the vicinity.
Asthma is another respiratory disease that is very common in mining
belt. Besides mining dust lung diseases, children are particularly prone to
allergies and asthma caused by pollen of the acacia trees planted by the
forest authorities. These trees are also a danger to the prevailing eco-
system and must be done away with and native trees planted in their
place.
Noise pollution due to movement of trucks leads to permanent disability
including total deafness, an increase in blood pressure, and various
cardio-vascular complications.
Communicable diseases like Chikagunia, Malaria, Hepatitis and HIV
infections have increased in Colomba after mining activities began. The
cause can be linked to the increased influx of labour from various parts
of India and even Nepal. HIV infection is spread with single men from
various parts of India and Nepal taking employment in mines and
developing unprotected sexual relationships with local girls.
Accidents due to mining transportation of ore are of three types. First
one is caused by direct collisions with mining trucks. This happens as
each truck is in competition with other to maximize its trips. Pedestrians
and other vehicle owners are placed at lethal risk by the movement of
trucks. Several accidents are caused this way and many people have
died. Only few cases are recorded by police and large of cases are ended
by the private force of mining companies by forced compromise or
intimidation. A force parallel to police is developing in mining belt that
handles besides accident cases, the intimidation of those opposing
mining industry.
The second variety of mining transport accidents takes place when
motorcyclists skid off the road due to spillage of ore on the road from
overloaded trucks. The third variety of accidents takes place when ore
from the speeding trucks flies out and hits pedestrians. This has caused
41
injuries to people walking on the road, sometime even to motorcyclists
trying to overtake speeding trucks. It is not uncommon to hear of
instances when the ore flew out of the truck and hit someone’s head or
someone’s eye.
Mining trucks have no controlling authority. Drivers are drunk and drive
heavily overloaded trucks. No one checks the license of truck drivers. No
one checks truck fitness. The Goa Police seems totally disinclined to
bring order to the roads.
Mining also has drastic indirect effects of Public Health. The number of
people taking to alcohol has increased. There is also the rise in liquor
outlets in Rivona Panchayat jurisdiction. Few of these are licensed
outlets. A large number of them operate without license. More
importantly the liquor that is sold in these outlets is adulterated – very
often mixed with urea and distilled.
Women in mining belt suffer from anxiety, sleeplessness, and stressful
mind due to uncertain situation created by mining industry. Many
families are headed by widowed women as their husbands have died
due to their employment on mines. Employment on mines gave excess
money which they invested in alcohol. This led to the degeneration of
their health and ultimately their death. In Curpem and Vichundrem
villages large number of men worked on mines and died within few
years of their employment. Workers on mines develop renal problem
due to exposure to extreme heat and dust. Workers on mines do not get
proper water, proper health education, proper masks for nose, proper
ear masks. These are given only during mines safely day for one day and
then taken back. Doctors with companies are insensitive towards
workers. Drivers in mines have no control over themselves when they
drive after consuming alcohol. No one checks their physical fitness when
they drive in intoxicated state. This behavior of drivers in mining is not
an exception but a rule.
Direct effects of mining on water
Silt from mines is released directly into paddy fields of the people. This
creates chocking of its traditional water ways and created frequent
flooding in monsoon. This is observable in case of Hiralal Khodidas mine
in Colomba.
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The daily washing of trucks in fresh water bodies releases silt and other
pollutants into water. The water used for irrigation purposes then
pollutes land where this water is used. Kushawati river is a very good
example as to how mining has created water crisis. Mining in its
catchment areas led to the drying of the Kushawati a few years ago.
State government instead of shutting down mines constructed check
dams at number of places on the river. Check dams created stagnation
of water and put pressure oo the edges of the river. The big trees on
both sides of the river bank died as their roots got affected with the
blocking of the river flow in an artificial manner. Besides the Kushawati
is also polluted by mining silt. The fish that used to be available for the
villagers prior to damming of this river has dramatically reduced and
some varieties disappeared all together. The Kushawati river bed has
silted and turned shallow.
In Corla village natural springs has gone dry after as the mining led to
alteration in the course of ground water. Over 100 tribal people live in
this village on hill top.
Blasting in mines
Till few years ago blasting was regular practice in mines in spite of it
being legally banned. In Colamb blasting at Hirala khodidas mine by
Fomentos has caused cracks to the house of Devki Katu Velip. Workers
who do the blasting themselves do so at huge risk to life and limb.
Conclusion
Mining has created a degeneration of nature and quality of life of tribal
people. Even employment on mines has led to number of people in
mining belt. Mining is dangerous and its danger will not reduce with 26%
of share of income from mines to tribal people as envisaged by the
Government of India. This appears to be only a move to distract
attention from the gross violation of rights and insult to the dignity of
tribal people that cannot be purchased with money. The private
ownership of mines gave full scale scope for the usury of the mineral
wealth by few individual corporate entities. The mining industry in Goa
has hijacked all round welfare and democracy in Goa. Damage to public
health, degeneration of agriculture, depletion of ground water, use of
police, abuse of judiciary to intimidate village people protesting mining
industry are only manifestations of this phenomena. It is hoped that
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Western Ghats authority will take cognizance of this situation and
recommend to the government of India to stop mining in Goa and cancel
all the mining leases in the Tribal areas that find common ground in
defense of Western Ghats.
44
A short visit and study of Compensatory Afforestaion on Sy. Nos. 159
and 109 of village Dharbandora, Sanguem
By Sandeep Azrenkar, President, Nisarga
1. Both Sy. Nos. used for compensatory afforestation in this case are
revenue lands previously also in the possession of Govt. of Goa.
2. Huge mounds of mining rejects have been dumped on much of the
plateau. The plantation of Acacia auriculiformis is raised on the mounds
and its growth is good. However, it is only a monoculture.
3. Patches of natural woodlots and forest are in existence on this
plateau. In such patches the forest department has done under-planting.
4. There is no bio-diversity nor local species in existence on both the
Survey nos. The only trees grown to their full height are those of Acacia
and cashew, other endemic tropical varieties are displaying stunted
growth.
5. Hundreds of small mounds of mining rejection have been deposited
all over the plateau. These mounds are used for planting saplings.
6. Although Acacia plantation is discontinued, for survival of its efforts
the forest dept still plants casuarina and bamboo in large numbers on
this plateau.
7. As late as 22nd
Sept. 2010 when the visit was conducted, labourers
were visible planting saplings on the mounds. Their survival of the
saplings is a big question.
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Conclusion:-
Out of total hectares of compensatory afforestation given in the RTI
information, these two surveys alone are 30 ha. Remaining are small
properties, mostly 4 to 6 ha. It is possible that in most of these latter
also, underplanting and gap filling has been resorted to. Also it cannot
be ruled out that existing forests are fenced and passed of as afforested.
In the RTI information received and enclosed, it is openly admitted in
several cases that land for CA is not available. In many cases, Sy. Nos of
forested plots are not mentioned. It may be concluded that forest
department relies heavily on recovering double the amount for the
CAMPA account whereas biodiversity gets depleted under Forest
Clearances.
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Summary Recommendations of the Goa Team on Western Ghats:
General character:
1. ESA for Goa should include areas outside the protected areas. ESA as
proposed by Goa Team is considerably larger than original SESA
proposal made in the year 2003 to Mohan Ram Committee.
2. ESA as proposed is in harmony with the notified (draft) Regional Plan
for Goa 2021 and the Zoning Atlas for Goa prepared by the State
Pollution Control Board with the assistance of the Central Pollution
Control Board.
3. Protection afforded should be urgent and time-bound. Once a clear
message is delivered about ESA, pressure to invest will be redirected
elsewhere.
4. Regulatory regime in the form of ESA Authority is urgently required,
armed with powers to issue directions under EPA, 1986.
5. Contribution of Goa to country’s forest and ecosystem services is
enormous, far out of proportion to size (58% of the land surface is
forested). This must be financially recognized and system of payment
for such services ought to be worked out by this panel.
Specific character:
6. Tiger Reserve to be proposed immediately to protect the existing
tiger population and habitat. This reserve would extend beyond the
wildlife sanctuaries if necessary and would give the ESA better
protection.
7. All actions taken to damage the integrity of the existing wildlife
sanctuaries to be reversed, especially in the form of orders of Forest
Settlement Officers in relation to mining leases.
8. Report of the Goa Government proposing zero buffers (Yaduvanshi
Committee) to be rejected in toto. Buffer zone of 10 km should be
proposed, with special development plans for such area. Under no
condition should the buffer zone be reduced beyond 3 km in order to
protect the sanctuary management. This is because in Goa at least
wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and Western Ghats are all located
within the same area.
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9. All mining leases in the ESA to be terminated, with fixed phase-out
time. The nature of mining is incompatible with the conservation of
ESAs. The economics of mining currently underway ensure benefits
only to a few families, while impoverishing the rest of the population
and the environment. Mining leases in WL Sanctuaries to be
permanently cancelled. Mining leases in 3 km zone to be terminated.
Mining leases in the buffer of Selaulim Dam to be terminated. No
mining lease to be permitted to work in the Forest Working Plan
Divisions of North and South Goa. No forest clearance to be given
for mining as there is no land available for compensatory
afforestation and existing (two decades) compensatory afforestation
programmes have failed.
10. Rehabilitation of mining leases terminated must commence
forthwith, beginning with terminated leases in the wildlife
sanctuaries which have been abandoned.
11. Sacred Groves of Goa already identified to be declared “traditional”
wild flora sanctuaries.
12. The Panel must obtain a true picture of the true extent of mineable
ore resources, as the existing estimates are based on Fe content of
63-65%. At present trends, the entire Western Ghats has become a
potential mine for extraction and this threatens its existence.
13. Panel must direct the special protection of the ecosystems of the
Sadas and bring them squarely within the protection regime of the
Western Ghats
14. Universities along the Western Ghats must be directed to re-orient
their research agendas to undertake a full and complete investigation
of the species that are endemic to the Ghats in their respective States.
15. Implementation of national legislation designed to protect the interests of tribals in
the State, especially in view of their contributions to protection of the flora and fauna
of the Western Ghats and their immense knowledge of these areas.