State Level Committee for NRIs of Goan origin
NT Network

Panaji : The second meeting of the state-level committee for NRIs of Goan origin was held recently at the Secretariat, Porvorim. Senior officials of the central and state government participated in the meeting. Commissioner for NRI Affairs, Mr Eduardo Faleiro presided over the meeting. The committee deliberated on several matters relating to Goan expatriates and concerning land disputes, trespass into property, fraudulent transactions etc.

The committee decided that all awardees of the Community Service Leadership awards will hence forth be ex-officio members of the committee. They will be entitled to participate in the meeting of the committee whenever in Goa and when abroad they may send their suggestions which will be considered by the committee.

The committee expressed concern at the slow progress of cases filed against recruiting agents who have duped various people for lakhs of rupees with the promise of providing them with jobs abroad. About 20 such cases have been registered in various police stations in Goa. The Protector General of Emigrants, Government of India, had urged last year that Police Department of Goa take necessary action under the Emigration Act, 1982 but the progress continues to be slow.

FOREST COVER OF THE STATE OF GOA.
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=37890 
Rajya Sabha

The forest cover of the state of Goa, as per 2005 assessment made by Forest Survey of India (FSI) is 2,164 km2. The State Government is making all out efforts to restock the degraded Forest areas under various scheme of the State Government, Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and under Compensatory Afforestation. Seedlings are also distributed to the general public, farmers, NGO’s etc. on nominal payment or free of cost to plant over the waste land, vacant land and fallow land. Besides, the Forest Department is also supplying free seedlings to Panchayat, Schools, Colleges, Educational Institutions to encourage mass plantation during Vanamahotsav.

First time the assessment of forest cover was done in the state only in 1987 which was 1,240 km2 and in 2005 it has been recorded at 2,164 km2. The increase is mainly on account of technological developments as smaller patches and cashew/coconut plantations are also included in the assessment.

To improve the forest cover on the country the Ministry has taken various steps like National Afforestation Programme (NAP) through the Forest Development Agencies (FDA) at the forest division level and the Joint Forest Management Committees at the village level, launching of Grants-in-Aid for Greening India Scheme in Tenth Plan to augment production and use of Quality Planting Material (QPM), initiation of a new Scheme, Gram Van Yojana (GVY for afforestation on non-forest lands involving PRIs. An allocation of Rs. 900 crores has been made in the Eleventh Plan.

Forest Survey of India (FSI) uses remote sensing technology wherein satellite data is interpreted and then ground verification is done. The last forest cover assessment pertains to 2005, the results of which were published in ‘State of Forest Report 2005’ in February 2008.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment & Forests, Shri S. Regupathy, in a written reply to a question by Shri Shantaram Laxman Naik in the Rajya Sabha today.

KP/Hb

BJP Sells Coconuts, Goa Traders Upset
25 Apr 2008, 0411 hrs IST,Ahva D'Souzaa,TNN
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-2980920,prtpage-1.cms

PANAJI: Out of power in Goa since 2005, the BJP has hit upon a novel idea to corner the Congress-led government. For a fortnight now, the party has been selling onions, oil and coconuts below the market price to highlight price rise. The campaign has certainly made a lot of families happy, but the traders are outraged.

BJP is offering onions and coconuts at Rs 4 per kg against their market price of Rs 7-10. Pamoline oil is being sold for Rs 54 against Rs 60-65 per litre in the market. So far, 12 such sales have been organised and the last one is slated for Friday. Nearly 40 tonnes each of onion and oil and 40,000 coconuts have been sold since April 11, the party claimed.

"We wanted to highlight the issue of price rise and at the same time let consumers know that it can be controlled through proper governance and timely intervention," said senior BJP leader and former chief minister Manohar Parrikar. He claimed that more than 20,000 families had benefited by the campaign. However, not everyone is amused. Traders in the state's commercial capital Margao said consumers have been asking them to sell the commodities at the prices offered by the BJP. "Parrikar should carry out the programme not for one or two days, but for at least six months," said a trader.

"We can sell essential commodities on a regular basis, but if we do so the traders will be out of business," Parrikar hit back. "Our aim is not to upset the traders, but to highlight the government's negligence on arresting rising prices." The party has invested about Rs 25 lakh on the campaign and not incurred any loss, he said. "We have not made any profit either."

Sand Dunes Face Wrath Of Development In South Goa
http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=042557
NT News Service

Majorda, April 24 : While a lot of hue and cry is being raised about development around the state, sand dunes along the South Goa beach belt have been disappearing quietly yet markedly. The sand dunes which were noticed all along the coast at Velsao, Arossim, Betalbatim, Colva, Varca etc have fallen prey to development. When contacted over the state of sand dunes in Benaulim, Sarpanch Ms Maria Fernandes said that though the panchayat has not conducted a survey, she has found their numbers dwindling.

However, not much appears to have been done to protect the sand dunes in this coastal belt of Salcete taluka as most of panchas opined that the sand dunes have disappeared either due to construction activities or by simply leveling them for one reason or the other. Vadi resident, Mr Rockson was of the opinion that it is the bounden duty of every citizen, particularly the elected representatives to protect the dunes.

In another incident a couple of years ago a huge sand dune at Utorda was allegedly leveled by a famous crockery company to use it in production. However, one huge sand dune still exists in Utorda. It must be noted here that sand dunes help to block the powerful sea winds and thereby prevent sea water from flowing inwards. The sand dunes thus protect the villagers living by the sea from floods and other calamities.

The need of the hour is for a survey of the number of sand dune along the coast and also a strict vigil should be maintained to stop them from disappearing.

Good morning Goa, it's good to be here
It's good to be in Goa. This is something of a global cliche but we are here, not as tourists, not to make Goa into a 'state of mind', but to share its heritage and aspirations and help to take both forward. We are proud to be here because The Times of India and Goa share many affinities. This after all is a state which gave the printed word to the entire subcontinent via the first printing press, and the premium on serious though ushered in by this milestone. Goa not merely has an enviable record of literacy, but puts a value on education and liberalism in its fullest expression...

{From the first issue of the Goa edition of The Times of India seen on the newsstands today]

Soon, Goa's urban areas will be wireless web worlds
PANAJI: You will have wireless access to the worldwide web much sooner than you expected. Telecom giant BSNL will bring the WiMAX technology to the state's more populous areas within six months from now. The technology will help you access the internet, without using cables, in select zones spread all over the state, WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) now allows wire-free use of broadband services across the globe. Goa will join the league of cities like Atlanta, San Francisco, London and Stuttgart (and Bangalore in India). [TOI]

Whew, what a big cat(ch)
BICHOLIM: Six months after living under consistent fear from the wild intruder, the villagers of Kudchirem, Bicholim, yesterday heaved a sigh of relief, thanks to the untiring efforts of the Forest department who finally succeeded in trapping the tormentor, a leopard, which had been a threat to several villages in the region. [GT]

Konkan Fruit Fest 2008
The 5th annual KONKAN FRUIT FEST will be held from 16 to 18 MAY, 2008, at the Promenade, D B Bandodkar Road, Panjim, by the Botanical Society of Goa. Competitions in fresh ripe fruits [Mangoes, Chickoos, Guavas, Cashew, Rose-apples, Jamun, Velvet Apples, Egg Fruit, Jams, juices, squashes, preserves, candy, wine of fruits, etc. Fruit eating competitions [on-the-spot] on 17 May at 4.00 P.M. and 18 May morning at 11.00 There will be stalls selling fruit plants, fruits and fruit products like juices, ice-creams, etc at the venue. Arolkar Fruits & Nursery, Kudal, Vikas Nursery, Pilar Nature Farm, Self Help Groups [SHGs] and other agencies will be participating. Those who require stall space may please confirm the same in advance.

Aldona bridge more of a liability than asset
PORVORIM, May 5: It may be a valuable asset, but the unique cable-stayed bridge at Aldona has become more of a liability for the Aldona Panchayat. Residents have asked the Sarpanch, Panchas and secretary of Aldona Panchayat to shell out Rs.1 lakh for failing to collect fees, when the attractive bridge was partially closed for film-shooting activities in March. [H]

Rapidly Undermining Goa
According to Dr Claude Alvares, the first mining lease in Goa was operated in 1929 though most iron ore mines became operational in the 1950s and some leases were never mined. Now, in addition to these 700-odd leases there are 480 applications for fresh prospecting in Goa. No mine is prevented from obtaining Environmental Clearance, even if all the villagers gather at the "Public Hearing" and unanimously oppose the operation of the lease. This is not democracy, said Dr Claude Alvares. However, this is today's reality in Goa. [Miguel Braganza, GT]

High prices keep mango lovers at bay
MARGAO, May 1: Despite the arrival of different varieties of mangoes in the market, there are no takers for them. The people are still keeping away from their favourite fruit as the prices are very high and still out of reach of the common man. [NT]

Notice to 25 bull owners
MARGAO, May 1: Tightening its screws on dhirios (bull fights), the Colva police dispatched notices to around 25 owners of fighter bulls from both North and South Goa. "The police have sought replies from the bull owners on the bullfights and the status of their bulls," PI Colaco said. [H]

Gear up for automobile explosion
PANAJI: Goa is set to witness an automobile explosion in the next three years with around 13 lakh vehicles lining to rev up, as against the 6,23,980 vehicles already registered until March 31, 2008. In addition, according to the traffic cell around 50,000 floating vehicles enter Goa every day. In Panjim, Goa's only planned city, while around 35,000 vehicles zip in, and estimated 30,000 exit from the city during a single day, according to a study conducted by traffic officials in 2006. [GT]