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A PIL Writ petition has been filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa Bench yesterday on 05.04.2023 on the proposed mine ZAMBLIDADGA DONGOR IRON AND MANGANESE ORE MINE (M.L. No.3/FeMn/79) at Sy.No. 19/0 of Caurem village. The petitioners are Gakuved Federation and 9 other petitioners from Caurem village. The tribal villagers of Caurem had earlier written to the Gakuved federation to provide them legal assistance in opposing the above mentioned mine and had recently passed an unanimous resolution opposing the diversion of forest land for mining or any other industrial purpose at Sy.No. 19 of Caurem village, in the Gram-sabha of V.P Caurem – Pirla held on 02.04.2023. The tribal forest dwellers have their cultivation on the mountain at Sy.No. 19/0 and are also engaged in collecting minor forest produce. The said mountain is an ecological hotspot and is known for its biodiversity and wildlife. The said mountain also has a religious importance and the springs that originate from the bottom of the mountain fulfills the drinking as well as irrigation water needs of the village. There are a total 149 individual claims and one community resource rights (CFR) claim filed on this mountain under FRA, which are due for settlement.

The relief sought from the High Court is as follows:

• Directions to expedite the process of settlement of the forest rights claim of the villagers of Caurem in accordance with the procedure laid down by the Forest Rights Act,2006.
• Not to process the applications for Environmental Clearance submitted by the mining lessee for mining of minerals in Sy. no. 19/0 Caurem village, Quepem taluka until the forest rights claim of the villagers of Caurem are settled.
• Interim relief restraining from proceeding with the Public Hearing scheduled on 11 April 2023 with regards to the application for prior Environmental Clearance submitted by the mining lessee.

The respondents are as follow:

• State of Goa,Through the Chief Secretary of Goa
• Directorate of Mines and Geology
• The Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
• The Chief Conservator of Forests, Goa
• The Collector & District Magistrate, South Goa
• The Deputy Collector & S.D.O
• The Village Panchayat of Caurem
• Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change
• Ministry of Tribal Affairs
• Goa State Pollution Control Board
• Smt. Pradnya Zoivant Poi Cano alias Pradnya Zoivant Pai Cano (Lessee)

A one-day event was organised on 26 February, 2023 to discuss the climate change and dirty energy with the banner No more COAL Network Convention. The program was held at Chanda more conference hall in West Bardhaman, West Bengal. Total 81 people attended this event from different districts of west Bengal. Rajesh Tripathi and Savita Rath, were the environmental Activists from Chhattisgarh and Odisha, who graced the event as Guest Speakers.

Adivasi people shared many information about their rich cultural surrounded and inspired by the nature. They highlighted tribal struggles to save the environment, forest and biodiversity.

Representatives from different social organisations presented their views on climate change and it’s effects from their field experience. Total 17 social organizations joined this Network as founding committee. Name of these organisations are listed below –

1. Project Affected People’s Association, 2. Bauri Samaj Unnayan Samiti, 3. Center for Social Activism, 4. Jaladarsha Collective, 5. Pashimbanga Khetmajoor Samiti, 6. Durbar, 7. Association for Village Advancement (A.V.A), 8. Shikaripara Sanskritik Parampara Samiti, 9. People’s Association of Progress in Asansol, 10. Hawker Sangram Committee, 11. Chakdaha Bigyan O Sanskritik Sanstha, 12. Socialist Front, 13. Kenda Gramrakkha Committee, 14. OBC Adivasi Dalit & Minority Ganamancha, 15. Murshidabad Building Construction Workers Union., 16. Deucha Panchami Gramsabha Samannay Hul committee, 17. Deucha Panchami Adivasi Janajati Bhumirakkhya committee

All the people together discussed and Planned the forward path of this network. Decision were made to increase the use of social media at the maximum extent to promote the No More Coal Network’s demands to save the world. The handbill was given by the preparatory committee for discussion on the convention stage, it was unanimously decided on the stage that this handbill will be printed as leaflets and distributed among the people. The No More Coal Network convention stage did not choose any leaders in particular. People who will take the responsibilities to forward the work, they will come up as the leaders of this network. Only Swaraj Das has been selected by consensus to manage the WhatsApp group and social media of this network. Leaders will be elected by the conference of No More Coal Network after one year. Every participant has taken the oath to make this call a success.