Panchwadi villagers complain against building mining road

Panchwadi villagers complain against building mining road
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, AUG 30
Panchwadi villagers along with Fr Rodrigues called on the Minister for Environment Alexio Sequeira at his Raia residence on Monday morning regarding construction of mining road through their village.
The villagers enlightened the Minister of the ill effects and other problems of dust pollution, heavy traffic in their small village etc. The minister gave them a patient hearing and offered to help the villagers by stopping the construction of the mining road meant for a mining company, but however did not give a concrete promise that the road will be scrapped.
The villagers were happy with the meeting as the minister understood their problem and offered whatever help he can.
Villagers maintained that acquisition of 40 hectares of mangrove forest will destroy the eco sensitive area, adding that the land acquisition will destroy mangroves etc..
The mining company had purchased 30 hectares of mangrove forest for mining road and dumping of ore, but since this area was tenented they could not construct the road. Villages alleged that the company now want the Goa government to  buy their 30 hectares and another 10 hectares from other owners to construct mining road and loading and unloading of iron ore an the banks of river Zuari.
The sawant and karapurkar commitee and TERI report conforms the existance of mangrove forest in this area. If road is constructed the moisal dam which supplies water to the whole village and surrounding areas will get polluted and the whole village will be affected, the villagers added.