Team Herald
PANJIM: The GAKUVED Federation and nine other petitioners have filed a a Public Interest Litigation Writ petition (PILWP) in the High Court of Bombay at Goa against the proposed mine Zamblidadga Dongor Iron and Manganese Ore mine at Cavrem.
GAKUVED Federation and nine other petitioners from Cavrem village have opposed the diversion of forest land for the mining purpose.
The tribal villagers of Cavrem had earlier written to the GAKUVED federation to provide them legal assistance in opposing the above mentioned mine and had recently passed an unanimous resolution opposing the diversion of forest land for mining or any other industrial purpose at Cavrem village, during the Cavrem-Pirla gram sabha held on April 2.
“The tribal forest dwellers have their cultivation on the mountain at Serial No. 19/0 and are also engaged in collecting minor forest produce. The said mountain is an ecological hotspot and is known for its biodiversity and wildlife. It has a religious importance and the springs that originate from the bottom of the mountain fulfill the drinking as well as irrigation water needs of the village, the petitioners have stated.
There are a total 149 individual claims and one Community Resource Rights (CRR) claim filed on this mountain under Forest Rights Act, which are due for settlement.
The GAKUVED Federation has sought directions to expedite the process of settlement of the forest rights claim of the villagers of Cavrem in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The petitioners have also prayed not to process the applications for Environmental Clearance (EC) submitted by the mining lessee for mining of minerals in those survey numbers at Cavrem village in Quepem taluka until the forest rights claim of the villagers of Cavrem are settled.
They have also sought interim relief to restrain the respondents from proceeding with the public hearing scheduled on April 11, with regards to the application for prior Environmental Clearance (EC) submitted by the mining lessee.
