Heraldo published on dt.21.1.2012

Goa's anti- mining campaign goes global

TEAM HERALD teamherald@ herald- goa. com PANJIM: The campaign to save Goa from incessant mining has now got a global linkage with almost 40 Goan overseas associations joining hands against mining activity at the cost of environment. The associations representing the Goan Diaspora in Australia, Canada, UK, Middle East, East Africa and Portugal have come under one umbrella called Save Goa Campaign UK, which on Friday submitted a petition to Goa Governor K Sankaranarayanan's office and to Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. The members, who are concerned about rampant mining activities and its devastating impact on environment and population, are likely to petition President of China demanding not to buy iron ore from Goa. Almost 86 percent of Goa's iron ore is exported to China, ever year. " Not just to China, but we are also going to write to all other buyers of Goa iron ore not to import the ore as its source is illegal," Canadabased Cellie Gonsalves, told reporters. She said that this could be one major step towards curbing increasing illegalities in the mining industry. " Half of Goa has already been destroyed and the damage is irreparable. But what we can now do is to protect the remaining half," she added. The association will be also submitting memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Mines Minister. The association members, who Friday held meeting with State Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava and Mines Secretary R K Varma did not seem too satisfied with the assurances given by them. " Varma told us that within next six months, a compact mechanism would be put in place thus monitoring mining business and its related activities," Pamela Gonsalves, a UK resident said adding ' we will be in touch with the government authorities on monthly basis to get the work done immediately'. In a petition submitted to government officials, the members have pleaded to close down all illegal mines operational in the State along with immediate promulgation of mineral policy. " Despite the fact that illegal mining in Goa being a well- known issue discussed for years by civil society and villagers, it has never been investigated, or stopped or anyone punished in anyway by government authorities," the petition reads alleging that the government is turning a blind eye to the entire issue. 40 Goan overseas panels form Save Goa Campaign UK, likely to petition Chinese President not to buy Goan ore the association will be also submitting memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Mines Minister. the association members, who Friday held meeting with State Chief Secretary Sanjay Srivastava and Mines Secretary R K Varma did not seem too satisfied with the assurances given by them.