BICHOLIM: The Chief Minister on Sunday made a statement while inauguration the Betul Panchayat ghar that it is okay to pollute as long as it brings development. Herald Media asked people in the mining belt of Bicholim, “Do you agree with the CM’s statement that it is okay to pollute (mining pollution) as long as it brings development?”
We have to know where does the money which comes with the dust goes. Money comes with the mining dust and goes to the government treasury. But does the money reach the people who are affected by mining or not? I’m saying it does not reach the mining affected people. This money goes somewhere else for development. It does not reach those people who have to breathe the dust on a daily basis, this is my firm opinion. Early morning our women who get up to do the work know that first they have to clean the thick coat of dust which is on the floor. Otherwise if we put the fan on the dust will fly and settle on the utensils. The dust is everywhere on the utensils, windows, vehicles, everywhere. We suffer this on a daily basis. The women have lot of trouble cleaning this with a mop.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Vasant Gad, Villager
All these years we are eating dust and government is saying we have to eat dust, you will get money. But till date we have not got any money. We are still eating the dust and we and our children have already contacted Tuberculosis. Government has not given us any facilities. They have not sent doctors to check our health. Secondly the government is urging us to indulge in agriculture and horticulture. Our crops have grown, but since mining has started, all the animals are coming to the village. Now these animals will attack the villagers. If we plant fruit trees monkeys and other animals come is eat the crop. But we don’t get any yield, what is the use of cultivation? Long ago we used to have mangoes, jackfruit, cashews etc we used to eat as well as the animals. But now the animals are coming down in large numbers and destroy the crop. So people have stopped cultivating crops and fruit trees.
Putulo Gad, Villager
When the Dempos were operating the mines, people used to get jobs and life was going on well. Although they were working on daily wages, they used to make a living. Now for some years the mines had closed and people had stopped cultivating the fields. The houses near the mining area should be taken out of the lease. What is the effect of the dust, they have to come here and see for themselves. Government officials connected with mining should immediately come and survey the place and see how we are suffering. They should not allow the people to suffer any longer. There is continuous dust pollution. If you just pass your finger, there is dust in every corner of the house. There is 100% dust covering our house. Even all the trees in the village are fully covered with dust. There is severe effect of the dust on the health of the people. In fact it is very dangerous for our health.
Pandurang Bhagat, Villager
