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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

43

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.