initial objections to the proposed mining by pass at pancwadi

the residents of panchwadi are strongly opposing the proposed minig bypass, passing through thier village. this is the representation which they send to teh various authorities..GXE is proud to support them and calling on others to support them



From:

Parish Pastoral Council,
St. Anthonys' Church,
Amblai, Panchwadi, Ponda Taluka, Goa
Tel: 2309594

Shri Santeri Bhagwati Devasthan Committee,
Vizar, Panchwadi, Ponda Taluka, Goa
Tel:
Date: 21/10/2009
To
The Hon'ble Chief Minister,
Government of Goa,
The Secretariat, Porvorim, Goa

The Governor of Goa,
Dona Paula, Goa

Shri Mahadev Naik,
MLA – Shiroda Constituency,
Goa

Shri Subhash Shirodkar,
ex-MLA – Shiroda Constituency,
Goa

The Sarpanch,
V.P. Of Panchwadi, Ponda Taluka,
Goa

The Chief Secretary,
Governement of Goa, Goa

Shri Vishwajit Pratapsingh Rane,
Minister of Agriculture and Health,
Governement of Goa, Goa

Shri Aleixo Sequeira,
Minister of Environment,
Government of Goa, Goa

The Director of Mines,
Directorate of Mines,
Udyog Bhavan,
Panaji, Goa

Shri Filipe Neri Rodrigues,
Minister of Forests and Water Resources,
Government of Goa, Goa



Sub: OBJECTIONS TO PROPOSED MINING ROADS AND MINING ACTIVITIES IN PANCHWADI VILLAGE, PONDA TALUKA


Dear Sir,


We, the residents of Panchwadi village, Ponda Taluka strongly object to the proposals to construct mining roads through our village, presumably to proposed ore handling sites in our rich mangroves along River Zuari, and also to any mining related activities, including transportation, loading, unloading, dumping or storage of mining ores or mining waste in our village.

An introduction to Panchwadi

The village of Panchwadi is characterized by its largest boundaries – the Zuari River to the west, and the hills and plateaus to the east. We are the proud legatees of the most highly evolved and well-proven agrarian and natural economic systems, which flourished in Goa for more than two thousand years. We have wisely conserved the wetlands and the extremely sensitive tidal zones, while developing the natural fresh water systems systematically, and respecting the forested hills and the highly endemic plateaus with the highest reverence, thereby striking a perfect balance between nature and man. Panchwadi is essentially an agricultural village; in addition to our common assets – the hills, the plateaus and the khazan lands, which give us our character, it is also endowed with rich paddy fields and cashew and other fruit orchards, which have supported our population for centuries. The Government has also always recognized the importance of Panchwadi as an agricultural village by building and maintaining a large dam for the irrigation and potable water needs of our village exclusively. The command area of this dam is 200 Has, which lies fully within our village.

Panchwadi occupies a highly sensitive zone of the coastal interface of Zuari River. The importance of the extensive khazan lands of our village to the riverine ecosystems of the River Zuari, or to its wetlands and flood plains, or to the various economic activities flourishing due to these ecologies, cannot be ignored. We submit that our instance is indeed a fit case where the CRZ regulations must be enforced without exception.

The proposed mining roads

The proposed mining roads are designed to cut right through our ancient settlements, orchards, khazan lands and paddy fields, presumably leading to proposed ore storage and loading yards to be located in the pristine wetlands along the river. The irreversible destruction of paddy fields, khazan lands, mangroves, orchards and forests due to the proposed mining related activities, if allowed, is inescapable. The sustainable lives and economies of the Panchwadi residents are sure to be destroyed causing mass displacement of the entire society, if the project is not stopped.

Exceptional floods and severe cyclones periodically occur in all regions of the world, and the survival of a civilization depends as much on its preparedness for these eventualities, as on its ability to harvest its needs and wants from nature. It has been proven time and again that indifference towards the existing natural protection from these extreme events can be costly to the entire nation. The mangroves of the Zuari River are the protective armor that saves the lands beyond from the wrath of the sea. Interference in this highly sensitive region is bound to compromise this protection. The cost of the environmental disaster that is to bound to follow such irresponsible interference with the extremely sensitive coastal interface cannot even be forecast.

We owe it to the future generations that at least their right to water, food and survival is kept intact. The biggest stakeholders in this entire exercise are the future generations, both by their sheer numbers, and the fact that their survival is our raison d'être. An old Nigerian saying goes: “A nation is made up of many who are gone, a few are here and countless who are yet to come.” Our own Constitution starts with “We, the people ...” Most of us who are “here” were not born in 1950, yet we claim this Constitution as our own. Then, what right do any individuals, or even all of us together, have, to take away the right to live of “the countless who are yet to come”?

Our prayer

We therefore request each of you to individually rise to the occasion and stop these ill-conceived plans by canceling all permissions already given to the proposed mining roads, if any, and to protect the village of Panchwadi from environmental and socio-economic doom. Your act will also save the lives of innumerable future Goan residing along the river, who shall certainly perish at times of environmental stress, if the devastation of the river is not prevented.
We shall also appreciate if you grant us to an appointment to appreciate your response to our extremely important representation.


Thanking you




encl: 1) Google image of Panchwadi village
2) Copy of the Notification under Sec 6, Land Acquisition Act, 1894
3) Copy of letter received from the GSIDC
4) Photographs of the lands to be affected