Upset with mining sludge entering homes
By A GT Correspondent
BICHOLIM: The villagers of Advalpal, Bicholim have decided to move to court against mining companies who have paid no heed to public grievances with regard to the mining silt despite repeated requests to curb mining menace.
Adressing a press conference on Sunday, the villagers said that, they are forced to take this extreme step as the government has failed to solve their problem.
It is understood that, villagers from Warche, Advalpal area are most affected as their residential area is a a low lying area at the foothill called 'Oraso Dongor' and 'Kalsanicho Matho' where the natural reservoirs of springs flows towards the Assnora irrigation project via Warchawada, Advalpal.
However, these natural springs and water reservoirs have been destroyed due to mining silt consequently which results into water scarcity during summer. “The mining excavation from this area which had been standstill for some years has started again due to which the springs have dried up due the silt” stated Gajanan Palkar, a resident of this area.
On June 6 when incessant rainfall lashed the state, villagers stated that mining slush from the mining pit on the mountain entered their houses as flow of one of the nullah's was diverted towards the opposite direction where the work of another industry was in progress consequently resulting into water stagnation from either sides.
Villagers have finally decided to file a law suit against these mining companies if their demands are not fulfilled before another tragedy strikes them.
A memorandum highlighting the acute difficulties faced by people of Advalpal due to mining activities was submitted to the Additional Collector (North Goa), Deputy Collector Bicholim, Bicholim Mamlatdar and Block Congress president Naresh Sawal as government has not taken any initiative to solve the problems of the villagers” stated Prabhakar Naik, a resident of Advalpal.
