While the authorities are busy calculating the losses caused by Goa's mining mafia to the state exchequer, little attention has been paid to the few people who dared to challenge the state's mining mafia.
Residents of the tribal village Caurem, situated eight-odd kilometres from Quepem town, once had everything in abundance in the village. They rarely had to visit Quepem for any needs. But the situation has now changed since their paddy fields, coconut and jackfruit plantations are getting destroyed. The reason: heavy contamination of ground water due to five mines operating within a one km radius of the village.
Residents of the tribal village Caurem, situated eight-odd kilometres from Quepem town, once had everything in abundance in the village. They rarely had to visit Quepem for any needs. But the situation has now changed since their paddy fields, coconut and jackfruit plantations are getting destroyed. The reason: heavy contamination of ground water due to five mines operating within a one km radius of the village.
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Nilesh Gaonkar took on the mining mafia near his village Carem in Goa. In just one year five mining companies had destroyed the natural nallahs, the only source of drinking water for over 1500 villagers. Nilesh gathered evidence and knocked on the doors of Goa's courts. He rallied the villagers and blocked the roads for over 30 days. He was tempted, threatened and beaten, but Nilesh managed to get a stay order on one of the mines.
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