After Colvale, sand extraction now threatens Nadora isle, 90 families (Herald)

December 9, 2013 At a time when land has become a scarce commodity, it is reasonable to assume that efforts should have been made to preserve the landmass of the State. But consider the plight of an island at Nadora-Bardez. A site famous for the Ganesh festival and even the location for two Bollywood films ~ the Rane’s Juvem Island could be on the verge of extinction and along with it, about 90 families in 35 houses may be left homeless. Just as sand extraction has been rampant in Colvale, the island at Nadora has been confronted by a similar problem. And this time, an entire island is under threat. “The island is famous for the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration and is visited by many people from all over Goa. Even Bollywood movies like ‘Itihaas’ and ‘Munna Bhai MBBS’ were filmed on this island,” said Pandheri Kalangutkar, who resides on the island, which is located on the Chapora River. “About 90 families reside on the island and their houses were constructed before Liberation. Most of these houses are situated on the river banks and during low tide, one could cross over to Nadora,” said Kalangutkar. The islanders are unanimous in their complaint that sand extraction activities, as close as 15 metres from the river bank, have threatened their homes and the island. “During the last 40 years, Revora villagers undertook sand extraction on a very small scale. The quantity extracted was less than 5 cubic metres of sand per canoe without a motor. At present, over 10 parties are involved with motorisecd canoes and each party extracts over 10 cubic metres of sand each day,” said Mahableshwar Agarwadekar. Added another resident, Anil Shirodkar, “Due to present sand extraction on large scale, the river has deepened and has eroded the riverbank. As a result, all houses along the river banks have developed cracks. With the river becoming deeper, it is not possible to walk to Revora village even during low tide.” “Sand extraction by motorized boats even at night has greatly inconvenience residents. If these activities continue, houses on the island will collapse within a few years,” feared Shirodkar. “The mines department had decided that sand extraction activity would only be undertaken 200 metres away from the island. However, the extractors are violating the order and are extracting sand close to the island. Residents have approached the police, the MLA and even the chief minister, but no action has been taken,” informed Shirodkar. When contacted, Nadora Sarpanch Kamlakar Gawas initially denied rampant sand extraction activities in the village. “To my knowledge, the sand extraction has been stopped,” said Gawas. But when confronted with information provided by residents and proof of sand extraction activities, Gawas quickly changed his position. “In the last gram sabha, we discussed the matter. The panchayat has told sand extractors to stop operations at night and not to use motorized boats, as they disturb the sleep of our residents. We also informed these sand extractors not to extract sand within 200 metres from the island,” said Gawas. Former MLA Nilkant Halarnkar said he had taken steps to protect the island, but claimed that his efforts were not pursued by the BJP government. “While serving as MLA, I had passed a tender for Rs 3.65 core to build a protection wall around the island. Work on the project had started, but it was stopped by this present government for unknown reasons,” said Halarnkar. Mindful of growing anger towards sand extraction activities, Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolkar said he has warned sand extractors not to inconvenience the islanders. “About two months ago, about 125 villagers from the island met me regarding two key problems: sand extraction within 200 meters of the Rane’s Juvem Island and sand extraction activities at night,” said Kandolkar. “I have warned the sand extractors that if they continued to create problems for residents of the island, I will stop all their activities. They agreed to avoid causing problems to residents and at present, no resident has come to me with any problem,” Kandolkar added. http://heraldgoa.in/News/Local%20News/After-Colvale-sand-extraction-now-threatens-Nadora-isle-90-families/82979.html