MARGAO: The Bharat Mukti Morcha (BMM) has started creating awareness about the tribals of Cavrem village who are opposing the attempt for mining operations to commence there and they have called for support and solidarity to the villagers.
BMM has said the area in question is part of the thick Western Ghats forest.
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BMM was referring to the notification issued by the Goa State Pollution Control Board about the public hearing to be held on April 11, 2021 to start mining of the Cavrem hill for iron ore and manganese
“The lush green forest will get razed down if the mining proposal gets clearance. 7,02,000 square meters of mountainous land constitute survey no 19 of the Cavrem village on Quepem taluka. The Forest land hasn’t been diverted for mining purpose as per the information presented in Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study of the project,” said BMM members.
“Significant feature of this mountain in Cavrem is that the community has staked claims for community Forest Rights that are mysteriously parked in the Deputy Collector’s office in Quepem for more than half a decade,” they added.
They pointed out that the mountain is sacred for the Tribal people of Cavrem just like Niyamgiri in Orissa and expressed fear that if the mountain is razed then the community gets razed too.
“Cavrem village is predominantly a tribal-occupied village and has staked claims over forest to manage it in entirety. Cavrem is one of the few Villages in Goa to achieve this feat,” the BMM members added.
“This mountain is very important to us. If it is mined then villagers will have to go away, said some of the locals from Cavrem.
They were responding to the reports that for the mining operation, there will be deep digging until 14 metres to for the extracting and exporting purpose.
BMM members pointed out that it is the villagers who will stand to lose if such activity is permitted.
It may be recalled that 15 years ago, there were sustained protests from the tribal community against such mining operations.
BMM members said these protests help the villagers’ cause and puts them in a strong position to win this future battle too.
They also urged the public ‘to support the Cavrem villagers in their current combat and to help amplify the local voice and articulate further’.
“Cavrem has opened up a unique opportunity yet again to connect the past with the present in relation to mining dynamics in all its dimensions,” BMM members added.
