PANAJI: In what may turn out to be a major embarrassment for the central and state governments, 40 Goan Overseas Associations have declared they will be petitioning foreign countries and companies not to buy illegally extracted ore from Goa.
As part of their Save Goa campaign, the associations which represent the Goan diaspora in UK, Australia, Canada, Middle East, East Africa and Portugal, among other countries, have expressed grave concern over the rapid environmental destruction caused by mining in the state.
Cellie Gonsalves of Canada said, "We are concerned that no action will be taken (by the government) and hence we are going to contact the people buying ore from India to tell them that they are buying illegal ore."
She listed the Chinese president as one of the dignitaries the associations will petition. China, she said, imports over 80% of Goan ore. Petitions to European governments "which are sensitive about such issues" are also planned.
"We are in solidarity with the people living in Goa and we are going to be a very strong force," she warned, while hinting that they will pursue this matter vigorously. "We are going to escalate this. We won't give up," Cellie added.
London resident Tony Soares said "We are concerned about what is happening in Goa. It is time for us Goans abroad, as well as in Goa, to do something about it."
Pamela Gonsalves of the UK, another non-resident Goan, said, "We are shocked to see how quickly Goa has been destroyed by mining. The children in mining affected areas are suffering from skin and respiratory diseases." She felt that environmental and forest destruction caused by mining in the state was irreparable.
Earlier, the association representatives accompanied by Goa Foundation director Claude Alvares met chief secretary Sanjay Srivastava and mines secretary RK Verma and submitted a memorandum on the issue. A copy has also been forwarded to the Goa governor. The secretaries assured the group that action will be taken within six months.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com