KARSTEN MIRANDA
Diana Tavares, one of Goa’s most resolute environmental voices and a central figure in movements such as Goyant Kollso Naka (GKN) and Save Mhadei, has passed away, marking the loss of a campaigner who stood at the forefront of some of the state’s most sig nificant ecological struggles. She was the backbone of numerous agitations across Goa, many of them success ful, standing firmly with tri bals, farmers and traditional communities dependent on the state’s lands, hills, rivers and fields. From Goa Against Coal to protests against the IIT project that displaced farmers, from the Loutolim khazan farmers’ opposition to the Borim bridge align ment to campaigns for a tiger reserve and eco-sensi tive zones, she remained a con sistent presence. She also opposed river destruction, Coastal Regula tion Zone (CRZ) violations and illegal mining. A key mem ber of the Fed eration of Rain bow Warriors, Tavares worked closely with its founder Abhi jit Prabhude sai in several environmental campaigns, in cluding GKN, contributing both on the ground and in the preparation of documentation related to regulatory processes. Though she had been facing health issues and was receiving medical care, she continued her activ ism. Those who worked alongside her often point ed to her understanding of environmental law, land acquisition provisions and farmers’ rights. She closely examined government data, project reports and official notifications, highlighting contradictions between public claims and docu mentary records, including at a recent public meeting that raised concerns over Goa’s coal infrastructure. She also faced cases for her role in major protests. During the anti–double tracking agitation in Chan dor, cases were filed by the Railways and Goa Police. She was similarly named in pro ceedings linked to the Arro sim railway protest — both connected to opposition against double tracking. Advocate Ohm Stanley said her absence came at “a most critical time” for the state’s environmental struggles. “She was not merely a foot soldier. She fought battles in courtrooms across the coun try with meticulous research and commitment. She ap peared before the Goa High Court, benches of the Na tional Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Supreme Court, and was a pillar of support to many lawyers who shared her cause,” Stanley said, add ing that multiple cases were filed against her for standing by her convictions. Historian Prajal Sakhar dande described her pass ing as “a huge loss to Goa’s environmental movement.” “She stood for Goa’s envi ronmental heritage through thick and thin and was active in several movements to save our mother Goa’s heritage. She studied issues concern ing Goa’s environment metic ulously and was active on the judicial front too,” Sakhar dande said, recalling her par ticipation in the Save Mhadei Save Goa Front and GKN. He noted that her contribution was acknowledged in his book Goa Gold Goa Silver: Her History Her Heritage. Albert Pinheiro, chief of the Loutolim Khazan Asso ciation, called her “a friend and pillar” to their struggle. “Even when government authorities attempted to de marcate our fields for acqui sition along with the police force, she was the rock who stood in front,” Pinheiro said, adding that they regularly discussed their case from the NGT to the High Court. “The vacuum cannot be filled.” Tenny Paul Fernandes, a resident of São José de Areal village, said she con tinued to prioritise envi ronmental protection even during illness. “She worked tirelessly in different battles to save our state. Though well educated and very talented, she was always down to earth and eager to help anyone who approached her. Even dur ing periods of ill health, her concern remained focused on protecting our Mother Earth,” Fernandes said. Architect Tahir Noronha described her as “a defend er of nature.” “Her heart and soul were for Goa’s environment,” Noronha said. Activist Jose Maria Miran da said she was “an intelli gent and quick-thinking presence in the movement.” “She would grasp issues swiftly and always make her contribution felt in environ mental causes,” Miranda said. The Cansaulim Villagers’ Action Committee (CVAC) said she stood firmly with communities in their strug gles. “Goa’s trees, fields, riv ers, seas and forests will never forget you. We salute you for standing with us in every battle against the land sharks,” CVAC said. Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said her con tributions had encouraged many across the state. “Her contributions to pro tecting Goa’s environment have always encouraged everyone,” Alemao said. For many within Goa’s en vironmental movement, Tav ares represented a rare blend of street mobilisation and le gal preparedness. Whether at protest sites, public meet ings or in court corridors, she remained a steady presence in some of the state’s most defining ecological battles — a role that colleagues say will be difficult to replace.
