Earlier mining in Caurem (manual excavation) |
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Mining of iron ore commenced in Caurem village in early 1960s. The extraction was manual and the mine owners provided employment to many villagers and others. The villagers engaged in the mining activities had to work hard for their livelihood. Manual mining was carried out at the surface only, and did not affect the water table or other resources of our village. This phase of mining did not last long.
After the year 2004, the international demand for the iron ore went high and the extraction of ore from Goa also increased. To fulfill the demand, large machinery were put to task, increasing the rates of extraction multifold, and going far below the water table
After the year 2004, the international demand for the iron ore went high and the extraction of ore from Goa also increased. To fulfill the demand, large machinery were put to task, increasing the rates of extraction multifold, and going far below the water table
Illegal Mining
The huge demand for iron ore in the international market led to massive illegal mining in Goa. Many new iron ore mines were forcibly started within and around the Caurem village. The villagers were unaware of, and unprepared for, the assault by the mining companies (with active help of the government authorities), and were violently suppressed into submission. The years from 2007 to 2011 were horrible for us, when mining companies made huge profits by destroying the land which was being preserved and guarded by our ancestors. The lands were grabbed by forging documents and land records, and employing blackmail, physical assault, or by destroying the unity among the villagers. We suffered greatly and many of our plantations, forests, hills, springs, paddy fields, nallahs were permanently destroyed. Our communities were broken by struggle between traditional agriculture and mining, and our values and beliefs also were eroded
How Caurem life affected by illegal Mining
The illegal Mining led to the drying of water resources. Agricultural lands went barren and the rivers are silting towards extinction. Apart from this, peoples also witnessed severe health problems and diseases. The illegal mining also led to the breakdown of strong community bond and ancestral beliefs. The mining took away the peace from the peaceful village
Caurem Struggle against Illegal Mining
The villagers of Caurem opposed the mining from 2006-2007, but were suppressed and unable to stop the destruction. In early 2010, the villagers united against the illegal mining and a struggle to stop the mining commenced. The unity, determination and hard work of the young and old men and women forced the government to stop the illegal mining activities on “Devapann Dongor” and other mines within Caurem
Co-operative Mining - Sustainable mining & Intergenerational equity
The Hon’ble Supreme Court passed a judgment on 21st April 2014 declaring that the mining after the year 2007 was illegal. The court asked to punish the culprits, but also passed an interim order to e-auction the iron ore already extracted.
The State Govt has shown the least interest in safeguarding the precious resources of the village, allowing further illegal mining activities by the earlier culprits under the guise of implementing Supreme Court Orders, resulting in huge losses to the private exchequer. When the poor tribals tried to expose the illegal transpotration of iron ore, we were harassed by the Govt officials and put behind bars. Many cases are still pending against the Tribals in the Trial courts
The State Govt has shown the least interest in safeguarding the precious resources of the village, allowing further illegal mining activities by the earlier culprits under the guise of implementing Supreme Court Orders, resulting in huge losses to the private exchequer. When the poor tribals tried to expose the illegal transpotration of iron ore, we were harassed by the Govt officials and put behind bars. Many cases are still pending against the Tribals in the Trial courts
The villagers have unanimously decided that further Illegal mining in their village will lead to their extinction. We discussed the same in the Gram Sabha of our Village Panchayat and passed unanimous resolution that further mining activities shall be carried out through a village co-operative only. By initiating the co-operative spirit among the villagers, we have planned to restrict mining in our village, if any, to a sustainable level, by ensuring inter-generational equity, protection of our water and forests and elimination of the endless greed for profit
Aims and objective of Proposed Sadhana Multipurpose Co-operative Society
- To halt illegal mining activities in Caurem village and to restrict mining in our village, if any, to sustainable limits through the co-operative society.
- To safeguard our natural resources and to improve the forests, water sources and agriculture of Caurem.
- To improve all spheres of the village economy in terms of equality, sustainability and productivity.
- To improve the unity, self-sufficiency and self-reliance of the villagers.
Our special Thanks to Abhijeet Prabhudessai
Mr. Abhijeet Prabhudessai |
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