Team Herald
MARGAO: Social Justice Forum Sao Jose de Areal today held a two hour long demonstration protesting the coal pollution the villagers suffer from the Goa Carbon Limited. An impressive crowd including Hindus and Muslims also braved the sun to participate in the protest held near the Panchayat Ghar soon after the flag hoisting ceremony was over.
“We have suffered enough and we are determined not to let our children suffer,” asserted the Forum President Alcina Fernandes pointing out that the villagers cannot even keep anything outside for drying as it gets covered with coal dust.
“Those living in houses with tile roofs cannot even eat properly as the coal dust settles on the food in their plates,” she said.
Pointing out that the Human Rights Commission is scheduled to hear their matter on August 18, she said the future course of action would depend on the outcome of the hearing.
Various people shared their horrifying experiences of living with the coal dust pollution. Recalling that the earlier generation used to live up to 100 years, Diana Tavares of Rainbow Warriors said the present generation can only hope to live up to 80 years.
“If the pollution continues unabated, the next generation will not even get to see 60 years,” she said revealing that this was informed by some scientists whom they had contacted. In fact Goa State Pollution Control Board has found heavy carbon pollution that is hazardous to human health and environment.
Environmental scientists have also found the pollution emitted by Goa Carbon Limited is very harmful which can be seen in the fields that people have stopped cultivating due to the pollution affecting the crop.
Parish Priest Fr. Richard Pinheiro said the church is always covered with dust to such an extent that even the tiles on the roof have become black. “We cannot open the windows or doors of the parochial house as coal dust enters,” he said. Besides, he said touching the barrister of the verandah makes the hand black with the coal dust.
“There are two schools nearby where nearly 2000 students study. Imagine what they are going through with this pollution,” he said.
Ronnie Dias of Rainbow Warriors said the Goa State Pollution Control Board is in collusion with the industries and shared how the Board informs the industry before hand when an inspection is scheduled and on the day of the inspection, the officials deliberately come late to give the industry time to cover u their misdeeds.
Executive Secretary of Diocesan Council for Social Justice expressed happiness that the movement is spreading going by the crowd present and asserted that the battle against pollution by Goa Carbon will not stop till it reaches its logical conclusion.
Moderator of neighbouring Chandor Parish Pastoral Council Darwin Cardoso while admitting that even his village suffers due to the pollution by the factory said the entire parish council and all the villagers were with the Sao Jose de Areal inhabitants in their battle against the coal dust pollution.
Sao Jose de Areal Sarpanch Perris da Costa said the panchayat supports the forum’s battle and demand and was with the people all the way.
