THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2024
Ajit John
The ‘Save Mollem Campaign’- Goan youth-driven movement against the three linear projects, passing through the protected land of Mollem was recently awarded the ‘Sanctuary Wildlife Service Awards 2021’ by India’s leading wildlife and conservation magazine Sanctuary Asia. The Sanctuary Wildlife Awards by the Sanctuary Nature Foundation were instituted to annually honour India’s Earth Heroes. Announcing the award, the organisers said the ‘movement highlighted the fact that the best environmental defense strategies were always home-brewed and imbued with joy, love and dogged resilience.
For those who were involved and still involved in the campaign it was a great push. Janice Ferro who was involved in the campaign by being part of the social media campaign as well as by creating some art work felt it was amazing they had won the award, but she felt there was a long way to go considering it was in court. She said she did not actively go out and campaign because of a family member who was highly comorbid and she could risk going on. Janice however stayed at home and contributed to the campaign.
Nandini Velho, a field biologist who was involved on the ground said she was very glad the efforts of the citizens of Goa have been recognized and the citizens came together with a different skill and it also showed how citizens can come and work together and achieve so much. When asked about the nominations she said it was always done anonymously by people who were experts in the field and she was not aware who had nominated them. She said usually an NGO or an individual or a body gets nominated but this time they nominated a whole campaign. It was not about an industry but the effort.
A marine conservationist who did not want to be named said it was great their efforts were recognized and it showed this effort and teamwork could be replicated anywhere in the country to exert pressure on the government. She said people felt their voice did not matter but this campaign showed them it was possible to have an effect. Another very young person involved in the campaign was Sherry who expressed her joy at the notice being given to the campaign by way of this award. But she felt much more needed to be done. She said “It is now in the Supreme court and we have to stay focused on the fight. Yes, our efforts have been recognized but we have a long way to go.”
Rhea Lopez another volunteer said it was a huge campaign which involved a great deal of effort by the people of Goa while she said her role was to provide awareness to the people but it was essentially the spirit of the people that pushed it forward. She said “We don’t like to think of this award for those who organised the campaign in terms of social media but it was about the youth who showed up. It is really cool a people campaign has been able to effect a change”. A biologist who is based in Goa, she was involved in the research group and helped in some of the scientific work. She intends to provide assistance as and when the need arises.
The artistic community played a role in the campaign. Nishant Saldanha worked as a coordinator in the art department and social media. He said there were various de centralized groups and various things were happening and it was wonderful to see hundreds of artists had worked on it and this recognition had come for the collective. Winning it, he hoped, would bring national attention and help other campaigns across the country. He said they continued to carry on with what they were doing and they were waiting for the hearing in the Supreme Court and to continue increasing awareness of Mollem across the state and the country.
The win attracted attention from Goans too. Dr. Gustavo Pinto a veterinarian said this was the effect of people’s power. He said “We should not stop at this but continue to make genuine realistic efforts to see that our environment is protected and saved for posterity. Mere lip service will not do, we have to act, and act decisively, and if needed, get onto the streets to take this fight of ours to its logical conclusion”. Dr. Vikram Patel said “ The conservation of forests and wildlife has profound health benefits toward the human race. From buttressing our natural defences against climate change and protecting us from novel viruses like COVID and Ebola to promoting our mental health and well-being. The ‘My Mollem’ campaign is an inspirational example of how diverse citizens can work together, in solidarity, for the future of our communities”. Saieshya Salgaokar a student said “I am overwhelmed with the appreciation received and thank you for this prestigious award....but our tasks do not end here. As quoted by the Dalai Lama,“It is our collective and individual responsibility … to preserve and tend to the world in which we all live.”
Orijit Sen, an eminent graphic artist expressed his happiness. He said “ I am thrilled to learn that the Amche Mollem Campaign has been honoured by this award. It is fitting that the award has been given to a people’s movement rather than to an individual. Amche Mollem is a shining example of the strength and will of the collective-in-action. Just like the Farmers Movement which stopped the mighty Modi Government in its tracks, it is a reminder of what determined people united by a just cause can achieve. Amche Molem embodies the spirit of democratic and righteous struggle at its best - bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, affiliations, age groups and abilities. The times we live in are dark and often troubled, as the forces of greed and destruction continue to rip our precious social and ecological fabric apart. But Amche Mollem holds out a message of immense hope and power for all of us: Yes, a better world is indeed possible!”
Sasha Braganza, an entrepreneur said “Congratulations to all the citizens who made Amche Mollem the powerful movement it is today. The Sanctuary Asia Wildlife Service Award is well deserved for the consistent effort put in by all those involved including the concerned citizens. In its initial stages, though progress and change seemed extremely slow and sometimes impossible, the movement persisted and kept us all united in one mission - to save our forests. It took on a life of its own and became not just about Mollem in Goa, but about the urgent need to protect our forests across the world. Amche Mollem has helped us realize that change comes when we as individuals stand together and show up consistently for the preservation of our planet.” Dr Hakikat Bir Singh,Co-Convener, Environment Front, Youth for Swaraj said “ The Amche Mollem movement is an inspiration. The way citizens have come together for their environment and heritage, motivates people across India. Keep up the good work. We stand with Amche Mollem.” Mangesh Gaonkar, resident from Mollem felt it was good the people’s efforts were being recognized which he felt was unexpected. He said “We did not fight for our forests for any award, we fought because our very survival depends on it. Hope we all continue this effort.”
The recognition is appreciated but the young people involved in the campaign know there is a long road ahead filled with potholes and care will have to be taken to ensure victory is eventually theirs.
