Saturday, 9 April 2005. To, The Governor of Goa, Panaji. Goa.
Your Excellency, We waited the whole day today for some action from you, the Chief Secretary, Secretary/Under Secretary of Panchayats, Director of Panchayats, Mamlatdar, BDO...but none came. We are getting the same old news: everyone is concerned; all the different Heads Of Departments are having meetings; everyone is consulting the Law Secretary or the Legal Department to ensure that they are covered; everyone suddenly wants to follow the letter of the law, completely forgetting the spirit of the law. All this while the Salmona Spring area, the conservation zone, the natural bird sanctuary and its biodiversity are up in flames. While Salmona burns, your bureaucracy is researching procedures to find out if it is legal enough to rush in the Fire Brigade! Your excellency, the fire first needs to be extinguished! The rest can wait... The construction going on in this tiny, fragile eco-system called the Salmona Spring needs to be stopped NOW. This is going on from the 15 March 2005, for the last 25 days. On 3 different occasions in the last 3 weeks, you have met delegations comprising of villagers of Saligao, local and state NGOs. Every time you express deep anguish at the destruction of the Salmona Spring and great appreciation for the commitment of those involved in the struggle. But till today, the construction is on, each day with increased fury. We need action on site, Your Excellency! WE NEED AT LEAST A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION ON THE CONSTRUCTION. Your departments know the steps: First stop the work temporarily. Second, investigate. Third, revoke the licence and simultaneously...finish acquisition applying the Urgency Clause (17/4) of the Land Acquisition Act. It is so simple...even to us common, unsophisticated, village folk. And you have the powers to do it - a simple Executive Order from you to temporarily stop the work, pending the enquiry or the acquisition - whichever finishes earlier. Give us action on site for a change, Your Excellency. We know you have the powers to do it. Even on a Sunday! The pulse of Saligao on this sensitive issue is available at: http://salmonafountain.swiki.net and on the archives of Saligaonet. We hope you will keep your word - given to us 3 times - and act before it is too late. Thank you. Muriel & Mario. -- .................................................... muriel & mario, 4/4 tabravaddo, opp. st. anne's chapel, saligao. bardez. goa. 403511. tel: 0832-278276 / 2409999 <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ----------------------------------------------------
