Internationally renowned environmental activist and leader of the"Chipko" movement for the preservation of forests in the Himalayas, Sunderlal Bahuguna, addressed a large gathering organised by the GanvGhor Rakhonn Manch [GGRM] in association with the Centre for Panchayati Raj [CPR-PS] on 3rd September 2008, at Dando ground, Benaulim. He was accompanied by his wife Vimla, noted environmental activist and leader of Karnataka's Appiko movement, Mr. Pandurang Hegde, and others.Sunderlal Bahuguna released the book by Dr. Sudhirendar Sharma entitled PARADISE LOST... ALMOST.
A Prakruti report on the Western Ghats on as is where is basis' in 2006. He also released the fourth issue of PARPOTI [Konkani word for "Village Messenger" who went from street to street to make public announcements when newspapers were not read by many and a radio was a luxury few could afford.] edited by Soter D'Souza for CPR-PS.
This issue has one model of a Participatory Planning Process for developing Regional Plan from among the models discussed by the GBA.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Bahuguna complimented the people of Goa for leading a struggle that is an inspiration to the people in the rest of India. "It will awaken the children of Bharat Mata to come to her rescue against the relentless onslaught of urbanisation." he said. "Democracy thrives where the people are awakened. It is the people who make democracy live, not governments and elected representatives, he added.
On the Tourism front, Shri Bahuguna informed the people that the Swiss do not sacrifice their environment for their tourism. Switzerland,with its villages and forests is still one of the favourite tourist destinations in the world. People leave their mansions and plush surroundings all over the world to enjoy the natural beauty of Goa. Do not try to provide the tourists the very thing they try to escape from, it will kill tourism, he reminded. Maintain your natural beauty. "Why do you want to cut your nose to own a nose stud?" he asked metaphorically.
Earlier, Smt. Geraldine Fernandes, convener of GGRM and leader ofBVAC, welcomed the gathering and specially thanked the members of the print & electronic media and the Hindu brethren who had come to the meeting in large numbers to listen to Shri Bahuguna, inspite of the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi, the family festival in almost every home accross Goa.
Smt. Romana Cardoz from Siridao asked the Government to jail the entire village if it thought the Gram Sabha did any wrong, but not to target with trumped up charges about ten youth who are about to start their careers. Arrest the promoters of the projects at Siridao for disturbing the village peace, she said, naming the persons involved.Menino de Bandar sang a song on SEZ and "development" being promoted in Goa these days while Shri Teotonio da Costa from Majorda asked the people not to get distracted by the red herring of the script controversy that was raised again in the Goa Legislative Assembly, 16years after its inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in 1992. In the market place we are forced to speak Hindi and Kannada as the petty traders do not know to speak Konkani. Let the Goa Government correct that situation first and then speak about the script, he said.
The Government is afraid of the people's unity in the Gram Sabha meetings and wants to divide the people on script and religion basis so that it can get away with the rape of Goa's land, he added.
The Chipko movement which literally means 'to stick' (to the trees), spread throughout Uttar Pradesh from 1973 and achieved a major victory in 1980 with a ban on felling of live trees above 1000 metres MSL inthe Himalayan forests by order of India's then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi. A similar ban was later also implemented in the states ofUttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh. The movement spread to HimachalPradesh in the north, Karnataka in the south, Rajasthan in the west,Bihar in the east and to the Vindhyans in central India. In additionto the ban in Uttar Pradesh, the movement succeeded in halting clear felling in the Western Ghats and the Vindhyas, as well as generating pressure for a natural resources policy more sensitive to people'sneeds and environmental factors. He received the Right To LivelihoodAward in 1987.
Fr. Maverick Fernandes of CSJP, Mr. Kumar Kalanand Mani of Peaceful Society, Soter D' Souza of CPR-PS, Pravin Sabnis of the GBA, Arch.Kamlakar D.Sadhale of Nirmal Vishwa, Adv. Shanti Almeida of TBA, and representatives of village level movements across Salcete, Tiswadi and Bardez were present on the dais. Soter and members of the GGRM led the people in singing the song, "Utt Goykara, Utt!"
1 comment:
My wife and I have been holidaying in Goa now for several years and really love the relaxed lifestyle and friendship of the goan people. Two years ago we decided to by a property so we could spend our winters with you when we retire in a few years time. My wife is a PIO so entitled to purchase property in India.
One of the sites we considered was Micons Coastal paradise but this was not the one we decided on in the end. We have now decided to pull out of our purchase as we can now see what all this new development is doing to Goa.
We will now still come to Goa for our holidays but when we retire will look to rent accommodation from local people for the winter there bye putting back more money into the local community.
Keep up your fight and we are only sorry that visitors to Goa do not realise what the property development is doing to the land and culture.
Phil. UK.
Post a Comment