Team Herald
PANJIM: Residents of Shirgao have strongly opposed the government’s mining lease agreement with Salgaocar Shipping Company Pvt Ltd, which they claim was signed without addressing local concerns. They point out that as per the agreement, there would only be a 150-metre buffer from the compound wall of the Shree Lairai Devi Temple, demanding instead that the buffer zone extend at least 200 metres from the last house near the mining boundary.
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Vijay Gaonkar, a villager, alleged that the government is forcibly attempting to restart mining operations in the village. “We have been demanding that houses, schools, temples, and agricultural lands be excluded from the mining lease areas. But nothing has been done. We’ve now challenged this in the High Court. We want a minimum 200-metre buffer — not just 150 metres — from the last house near the mining boundary,” he said.
Gaonkar also revealed that a report by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) had warned of serious environmental consequences if mining resumes. “NEERI clearly stated that the groundwater recharge system was severely impacted by past mining in Shirgao. If mining resumes, wells, lakes, and springs will dry up, creating a severe water crisis,” he warned.
He further noted that residents have also challenged the Environmental Clearances (EC) granted to Mining Block No 2, bagged by Salgaocar Shipping Company Pvt Ltd, and Mining Block No 3, won by Rajaram Bandekar Mining Pvt Ltd.
The Directorate of Mines and Geology has demarcated a 150-metre buffer zone around the Shree Lairai Devi temple and an 80-metre buffer from Dhondachi Tali in Shirgao, where mining is prohibited.
Activist Swapnesh Sherlekar voiced concern over the cultural and ecological degradation in the village. “Shirgao, home to Gram Devi Shree Lairai Mata, is one of the holiest villages not just in Bicholim, but in all of Goa. A fortnight ago, the village was in the global spotlight following an unfortunate incident during the Zatra. But the deeper crisis lies in the decades-old, state-enabled destruction of the village’s ecosystem,” he said.
“Last year Vedanta Ltd began operations, and Salgaocar Shipping is now set to start. A third operator, Rajaram Bandekar Company, is also expected to commence soon. It’s as if the village has no human settlements — only mining,” he added.
Sherlekar also referenced folklore tied to the village’s sacred geography. “It is said Shree Devi Lairai, along with her six sisters and a brother, came to Bicholim through the forest and later settled in Shirgao. But now, no forest remains. Years of mining have depleted water sources, with some excavations reportedly going below the water table. This is brutal, yet systematic destruction,” he stated.
Dinanath ‘Dina’ Gaonkar, President of the Shirgao Nagrik Samiti, said villagers have been resisting mining since 2008. “I’m one of the petitioners who opposed the government’s decision to auction mining leases. We have opposed all three mining blocks in Shirgao. We are demanding exclusion of houses, temples, schools, and farms from lease areas, compensation for affected families, proper demarcation of mining boundaries, and a 200-metre buffer zone,” he said.
The High Court is scheduled to hear the matter on June 2.
