GOA FOUNDATION IS BEYOND REPROACH Stephen Dias, Dona Paula
The Goa Foundation is an NGO of impeccable credentials. In fact, on several matters involving the Supreme Court, they are the voice and power of the people especially as far as the environment and especially its protection is concerned. It is preposterous that the NGO that has been the bulwark of conscientiousness is being sought to be probed for illegal funding. It may be emphasized that after the Justice M B Shah Commission Report unearthed massive illegal mining in Goa amounting to Rs. 35,000 crore involving politicians in collusion with mining companies and the bureaucrats, the Goa Foundation moved the Supreme Court and stopped the illegal mining in the state which had reached beyond control and which became a free for all. The Supreme Court immediately brought down the gavel and stopped the illegal mining in the State which bled the exchequers both as the Centre as well as the State from further spinning out of control. The environment is paramount and the Goa Foundation for decades together has been the conscience among NGOs as they have through only legal means which is undoubtedly the only forum through which the exposure of the illegalities can be redressed as on a number of cases they have moved the Supreme Court, the apex forum in the country where grievances pertaining to saving the environment of Goa is concerned. Mining excesses in the State should not be allowed to spread without credible checks and balances, where caution is thrown to the wind and illegal mining becomes a scourge on the export of Goa's ores much against environment in the State. As far as this is concerned, I hope that the premiere NGO succeeds in stopping the destruction of the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary as well as the National Park in Mollem. Full marks to the Goa Foundation who have been doing a fantastic job and should not discourage him for fighting for the benefit of Goans. Stephen Dias Social worker Dona Paula 9422443110 21.7.2020