News Clips from Goa
 

"Goan of the Year 2009" Panaji: Eduardo Faleiro Chosen 'Goan of the Year – 2009' by Kalavistar Daijiworld.com  ... has declared the chairman of Universal Peace Federation of India and Goa NRI Commissioner, Eduardo Faleiro, as the 'Goan of the Year-2009'. ...

Corruption must be weeded out of public life, says speaker Stating that corruption has spread its tentacles in government offices and social life and advocating the need to weed it out from public life Mr. Pratapsing Rane, the Speaker of the State legislative assembly, called for urgent need in the implementation of Lokayukta bill that was passed by the assembly. Addressing Congress leaders and workers at a function to mark entry of Congress party into the 125th year of its existence, Mr. Rane, who has been a chief minister for several terms in the past, said that though the bill was passed while he was the chief minister in the last assembly, it remained unimplemented till date. [NT]

Crafts Bazaar concludes on December 30 Gandhi Shilp Crafts Bazaar organized by GHRSSIDC and sponsored by Office of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India will continue till December 30 at SAG Ground, Panjim. The Bazaar has 150 stalls with artisans participating from all over India as well as local artisans. It has handicrafts stalls for display and sale of diverse range of items like artificial jewellery, jute craft, leather craft, patch work, metal craft, Kolhapuri chappals, wooden toys, Corrandum craft, bead work chanderi saree, leather toys, terracotta, dhokra art etc from the various state of India. [GT]

TAG to Remember Lucasinho Ribeiro Tiatr Academy of Goa (TAG) will for the first time celebrate the birth anniversary of Lucasinho Ribeiro, pioneer of Goan Tiatr, who scripted, directed and staged the first Tiatr "Italian Bhurgo" on 17th April, 1892 in Bombay. Lucasinho Ribeiro was born on 2nd January 1863 at sokol Vaddo, Assagao, Bardez, Goa. Lucasinho Ribeiro is responsible to give birth to a unique dramatic form called Tiatr in which the story of the play is divided into 6 or 7 acts and songs or kantaran are sung in between the two acts which have no relevance to the theme of the play. The first tiatr "Italian Bhurgo" that he scripted, directed and staged 117 years back was an adaptation of an Italian Opera. Joao Agostinho Fernandes, who is popularly known as Father of Tiatr considered Lucasinho Ribeiro as his 'Guru'. In order to keep alive the memories of this great tiatr personality, TAG has organized a function to celebrate the birthday of Lucasinho Ribeiro on 2nd January, 2010 at 4.30 p.m. at the Black Box, Kala Academy, and Panjim. The function will begin with a programme of songs and humorous skits by popular artistes of the Tiatr stage. All tiatr artistes and tiatr lovers are requested to attend the function. It is open to public. Tomazinho Cardozo President-TAG Cell: 9822170102

Residents say no to tourism activities on St Jacinto Island Residents of St Jacinto Island, Chicalim, on Sunday resolved to oppose any future plans of the State government or the local body to utilise the pristine St Jacinto Island for tourism-related activities. The residents took the decision at a meeting in St Jacinto Island Church hall on Sunday. The island, which is known for its pristine beauty, has about 150 families, but most of the people have migrated to other places due to business and professional activities. However, none of the villagers have sold any land to outsiders for the last many years so as to maintain its identity. [H]

Coconut prices continue to fall After dealing the problem of mites that has affected productivity of coconut plantations, farmers are now confronted with another problem. The coconut farmers are in crises as price for coconut has drastically dropped in the last two years. The whole sale price of coconut has come down to Rs 2 to Rs 2.5 per nut from Rs 5-6 per coconut some three-four years ago. Amid other problems, they have to cope-up with drop in the price of coconut as well. “Nobody wants to buy coconuts today, “says Cezer Gomes, a coconut farmer from Chandor. [H]

Year 2009: 20 murder, 15 rape cases reported in S Goa During the year 2009, twenty murders were reported in various parts of South Goa out of which 17 were detected. Compared to this, in the year 2008, twenty-two murders were reported out of which 15 were detected while in the year 2007 in all 18 murders were reported and 12 were detected. The South Goa superintendent of police, Mr Allan D sa when contacted said that some sensational murders that hit the headlines in the current year have been detected. He said that in Quepem five murders were reported and all were detected while at Colva, Margao and Maina-Curtorim, two murders each were reported and they all were detected. He said that no murder cases were reported under Sanguem and Harbour police stations this year. [NT]

New technique developed to treat breast cancer The amputation of breasts infected with cancer would be a thing of past with Goa born UK-based surgeon developing a technique which can treat the tumour without letting it spread further. The technique, labelled as ‘Targit’, is a brainchild of Dr Jayant Vaidya, who had labouratory trials of it for over a decade and which is now ready to be implemented in various hospitals across the world. [H]

Goa Hotels Bear A Forlorn Look This Festive Season http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/5380196.cms?prtpage=1 26 Dec 2009, 0639 hrs IST, | Smitha Venkateswaran, ET Bureau PANAJI: Smiling Santa hasn’t brought much cheer to Goa’s tourism industry for the second year in a row. Tourism in Goa appears to be heading for its worst season ever, with resorts and holiday homes clambering with discount offers for better room occupancy . Most hotels have averaged 60% occupancy during this long Christmas season at a time when Goa is said to be in the peak of its busy tourist season. Three years ago, hotels in Goa averaged 90% occupancy during Christmas and New Years Eve. Not anymore. “The drop in numbers has continued this year as well. Either people who were earlier opting for high-end resorts have moved to a smaller budget hotel, or else have cancelled their plans to come to Goa,” said Shrikant Wakharkar, GM, InterContinental The Lalit Goa Resort. While the economic slowdown is said to be the main culprit for Goa’s tourism debacle, many are questioning the state’s ability to keep tourists captivated . “The slowdown has made people choosy with their money. They are questioning reasons for coming back to Goa; there is nothing new that can add value to their holidays here. This is adding to the problem,” said Ralph de Souza, who owns a chain of tourist-related businesses in Goa, including hotels. He also happens to be the president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG). Goa’s room tariffs have fallen by nearly 30%, but this has not been able to attract ‘enough’ tourists to visit the state. Continuing with the dropping rates, most hotels across segments are now offering attractive packages, almost at a no-profit /no-loss basis - just to keep the business moving. “Earlier, we were booked for the season. But now, customers come only when we offer bargains, the tables have turned this time,” said Andrew Colaco, owner of a chain of boutique hotels in Goa. Currently, prices for an all inclusive package (with bed and breakfast) at a 3-star resort starts at Rs 3,000 and goes all the way up to Rs 10,000 for a 5-star resort, a stark contrast to Rs 15,000-30 ,000 that hotels in Goa used to charge. These current prices offered were considered the ‘off-season’ prices for the monsoon period from mid-June to September. Agreed Pascal Dupis, GM, The Leela (Goa): “Our prices have been rationalised keeping in mind the expectations that customers have. Even then, our foreign guests have dropped considerably .”Many other resorts that ET spoke to refused to “participate” in the story for fears of further impacting their business. Unlike the 700-odd charter flights to Goa every year, only 617 ‘small’ charters have been booked for this season. This is even lower than the 640 charters that state received last year, when global recession along with the 26/11 terror attack impacted the business. Domestic tourists, too, have recorded a significant drop, pointed out tour operators. Travel agents are also sceptical of the Free Independent Traveller (FIT) sector which is said to have improved tremendously because of the connectivity by Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Qatar Airways, Air Arabia and other airlines. According to them, most such airlines are only bringing back Goan NRIs home for Christmas and not tourists. Instead of adding tourists, rising air tickets have kept holidaymakers, last-minute travellers home. “The rates in Goa are exorbitant, especially this weekend. Hotel discounts don’t add to cost-saving when one looks at the rates they have to pay for flights,” adds de Souza.

Goa's growing urban chaos: any solutions? By Frederick Noronha | First published in Herald, Dec 27, 2009 | fn@goa-india.org From: goanet-news-bounces@lists.goanet.org  on behalf of Goanet Reader Goa's urban spaces are bursting at the seams, getting crowded, lack entertainment, and face unplanned growth and urban sprawl. As if that all was not enough, this small scenic state is also getting clogged with traffic while we lack decent public transportation. Goa's little towns are fast losing the charm they were once known for. Recently, a team from a national institution has turned the spotlight onto four locations in Goa itself. The Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University, based in Ahmedabad, recently undertook an exercise in Goa. Could its work have relevance to the state of our towns and cities-in-the-making -- which clearly suffer from a whole lot of shortcomings? CEPT's Department of Urban Design, Faculty of Architecture, conducted a 'design studio' on four towns of Goa -- Margao, Panjim, Mapusa and Vasco -- with an emphasis on participatory development. It came to Goa in July 2009 to conduct their field studies followed by a visit in early October where presentations were made, and feedback received. In December 2009, it made its final presentations of the design proposals for Margao and Vasco in Ravindra Bhavan, Margao and for Panjim and Mapusa at the Goa College of Architecture in Panjim. Prof. PVK Rameshwar, FIIA, FIUDI, the professor and head of the urban design department, put this writer in touch with the students who worked on this. Here are some emerging issues: PANJIM: LACK OF AWARENESS Group members Dwijomala Hanjabam, Kalpeshkumar Patel, Lopamudra Neog and Yashashree Lambay focused on a participatory approach for Wards 19, 20, 23 and 28 that cover Fontainhas, Mala, Portais, Sao Tome and Pato Plaza. A focused survey was carried out among ward councillors, residents, authority and some eminent persons. CEPT's student team said in Fontainhas, often called Panjim's "Latin Quarter", there were issues about conservation of both the built and natural heritage. They concluded: "A lack of awareness and belonging towards the natural features -- the Ourem Creek, Altinho hill, etc -- was leading to its deterioration." They saw a similar lack of awareness and belonging towards the built-heritage of places like the Font Fenix, apart from the issue of "broad and superficial conservation guidelines" and its impact on the built form. Likewise, the study found a "lack of equality in terms of abiding by rules among residents... and a lack of financial aid to residents for conservation and maintenance." There was "outward migration" from the neighbourhood to newer areas like Dona Paula and Caranzalem. "Infiltration of tourism" and its impact on migration, besides the impact of rapid commercialisation, were other issues noted. Incidentally, Pato Plaza -- enthusiastically promoted by past and subsequent governments as a prestigious project in the capital city -- was proving to be an "isolated entity". As the study noted, "The single commercial use of the CBD (central business district) makes it alienated and deserted at night. Although physically connected, the part is isolated from the city and the concerned neighbourhood in terms of activities. The built form and its character is in stark contrast to its vicinity." Needless to say, politicians and interested lobbies found a lot of sense in building high-rise structures in what used to be agricultural fields not too long back. But today, as the emerging study put it, the area suffers from a "non-adequate infrastructure". There is also a lack of parking in Fontainhas and Pato Plaza, a lack of community spaces, and traffic congestion due to school-buses and the narrow lanes of Fontainhas. Other problems include the water logging at Mala in monsoons; lack of connectivity between Fontainhas and Pato Plaza; a lack of public participation; and a lack of powers with ward councillors. Some suggestions put forth: Devolution of four wards into two for efficient public participation. Constitution of five conservation zones and its respective guidelines. Delineation of a heritage walk and identification of buildings for tourist lodgings. Structuring of land use for better mix of use and strengthening of the neighbourhood. The development of community and public places and inclusion of a ward office. Rerouting of traffic and provision of parking facilities. Also suggested was a vision that includes "creating a sustainable neighbourhood by associating the dis-association... and conservation as a tool to transform and not (only) to preserve". Six further projects were detailed to fit the above strategies: These included, integration of public and administrative space -- St. Sebastian Chapel. Bridging gaps, the Ourem Creek Development. Activating and rescaling spaces -- Pato Plaza. Revitalization of the neighbourhood space, the Fonte Fenix precinct, and the Mala Lake. IN MAPUSA TOO In Mapusa, the studio prioritised tackling issues in the old part of the city "which is facing threats of piercing commercialization and increase land prices which leads to migration of people towards the outskirts and a deterioration of the tradition within the old city." This study zoomed in on four wards. Their major concerns: Haphazard growth of commerce Improper use and lack of public space Deterioration of physical character Lack of infrastructure facilities Some projects identified to tackle such issues: Restructuring of the Municipal Market Revitalization of precincts near the Alankar theatre Revival of the St. Jerome Church area Strengthening of residential areas of old core Such projects could act as "trigger points to strengthen the old city". These could focus on decentralization of neighborhood commerce, create a well-linked network of public spaces, propose conservation guidelines for the preservation of the built-heritage, introduce an alternate well-networked public transportation system, propose adequate parking facilities and traffic diversion to solve the congestion problems besides proposals for waste disposal system. Apart from working in North Goa, the two main urban areas from the south got CEPT's attention too. MARGAO: TRAFFIC, COMMUNITY To improve the living standards in parts of Margao, what was essential was building a sense of community, taking care of traffic and promoting infrastructure, suggested the study. It said the culture and identity of the place could be promoted by (i) boosting Margao's heritage value (ii) rejuvenating the river Sal (iii) improving tourism and (iv) promoting economic opportunity. What was essential though, it pointed out, was encouraging "more healthy and controlled tourism." But, there were also some ODP (outline development plan)-level concerns. These included: development around SGPDA market against ecological concerns; un-tapping of potential space along eastern by-pass, and questioning of the ODP boundary limit. In addition, a very high FSI (floor-space index) in the core commercial areas, which would lead to a deterioration of the local character. [The Floor Area Ratio (FAR) or Floor Space Index (FSI) is the ratio of the total floor area of buildings on a certain location to the size of the land of that location, or the limit imposed on such a ratio. http://dictionary.babylon.com/Floor  Space Index  CEPT's Margao team's work focussed on Wards 13, 2, 4 and 11. Major issues in Ward 13 were traffic congestion, the dilapidated condition of the "New Market", and godowns in residential areas. It suggested improving the local identity and "live-ability conditions". It said this could be done through physical interventions, such as: Pedestrianizing the core area with proper parking facilities Developing the municipal garden as a city level open space for cultural festivals, haats (traditional markets) to promote local arts and craft, and shifting of the godowns to the outer ring road. Schools and public institutions need to improve their "identity and sense of belonging", it was felt. Handicraft exhibitions could do with more spaces in the area. Tourism focussing on handlooms or craft-work could offer an opportunity to the local people. The Gandhi Market Precinct needed to be developed for domestic goods. Ward 2, 4 and 11, meanwhile, fall in the heritage precinct, and have another set of priorities. "The notion of heritage is not frozen or (merely) preservation, it's the pride of the city," said the study. But there were serious issues found with a lack of community belonging, questions about the sustainability of heritage buildings, and traffic congestion. Some physical interventions suggested include: Pedestrianizing the existing heritage street along NH17, re-routing of the existing traffic network Options for adaptive re-use of the heritage street as (i) exhibition spaces (ii) handlooms exhibits and (iii) institutions. Giving employment opportunities to locals. Likewise, the river Sal is in need of rejuvenation. At one point of the time, it is noted, this was a navigable river, with salt and spices plying across it. Now it is in a dilapidated stage with very little concern over it. Check-dams could retain the water-containing capacity. Instead of Margao depending on costly Salaulim dam water, in-house water storage systems could help. Likewise, a form of "healthy tourism" could also be encouraged along these water bodies. This study moots promoting the local culture and heritage. This would mean acquiring public gardens and public buildings for cultural displays, and encouraging local crafts. The study came out in favour of pedestrianizing -- a idea that Goa seems to fight shy of. It urges connecting the existing network with the ODP proposed by-pass roads, pedestrianizing the old core market and heritage routes, and allowing goods-carrying heavy vehicles only for stipulated timing in the day. VASCO: ECOLOGY, MIGRATION Goa's port town, centre for exporting iron-ore, and lone airport hub of Goa -- Vasco da Gama -- too has a considerable number of issues that need to be sorted out. These include ecological issues: (i) Pollution due to loading and unloading of coal and iron ore at MPT; and petroleum trucks (ii) Ecologically insensitive development at Vasco Bay (iii) Lack of green spaces (parks, gardens etc.) Issue of outward and inward migration: (i) Unhealthy living environment (ii) Insufficient entertainment and parking facilities (iii) Better opportunities for migrated labourers. (iv) MPT proposal of expansions and relocation of fishing community to hinterland. It has proposed some projects. These include: Integration of open spaces in the CBD (Central Business District). Participatory development of open spaces within the blocks of ward no 11 and 12. Using open spaces for recreation by children and the elderly. Creating more pedestrian-dominated spaces by amalgamating blocks to sector and utilising tertiary roads as a walkway for a better shopping experience. Management of Vasco bay dune area: This is a natural buffer zone that reduces the impact of fluctuations of the shoreline and erosion by the sea. Such a project could promote and preserve the function and sustainability of natural dunal systems by community participation Rehabilitation and relocation of the fishermen's village: This could offer a better living environment for the fishermen's community now residing in Vasco Bay, Ward 12. It aims to integrate the post and pre-fishing work in the fishermen's living area. Vasco city recreation center: This project is a response to out-migration of people due to the lack recreation facilities and public areas within Vasco. The proposal is to acquire land presently used for oil storage and warehousing, which threatens the life of the city residents. The CEPT suggested such a project could serve citizens need for recreation, learning and job opportunities for the next three decades. Incidentally, the Ahmedabad-based Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), an academic institution, offers undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate programmes in areas of the built environment and related disciplines. It has grown from a small research centre to a university in a span of less than two years. Its work in Goa sought to look at participatory planning and "the nature of urban design at a very pragmatic level and the role and nature of urban design". It sought to look at emerging issues, and test possibilities in resolving conflicts. Public interaction, it said, was an important aspect of the whole academic exercise. Instead of the "conventional planning premise" it tried intervening at the ward level. CEPT noted that the 74th Amendment of the Indian Constitution empowers the municipalities to make their own plans and promotes the bottom-top approach to participatory development. But as the real-estate stakes spiral in Goa, can good intentions fight the power of the big buck? In a way, at least greater awareness could help to expose vested interests and contentious decisions  CEPT is online at http://www.cept.ac.in Prof Rameshwar can be contacted via mobile 9824057388.

Global Climate Change and Goa: Questions from a Village called Moira Posted on http://www.mail-archive.com/goanet-news@goanet.org/msg00887.html By Nazar da Silva BINGO! The world’s biggest polluters are laughing all the way to the bank. (B.I.N.G.O. is now the accepted acronym for Big International Non Governmental Organizations). As natural calamities continue to make distressingly frequent headlines the world over, there is one class of individuals who gloat. They belong largely to the corporate world, and increasingly they are sitting across the table with bingos. Because the scale of disasters is so mind-boggling, the senses of the spectator world are benumbed; the values of 'good' people are compromised. It is in this scenario that spin-doctors are deluged with a frenzy of work, but the damage control they are engaged in has little to do with saving victims. On the contrary: their sole interest -- what they are paid to do, is to save the hide and the turf of the powerful. Whistle-blower: A highly qualified whistle-blower and former trainer of hundreds of petroleum engineers and geologists at the Imperial College of Science and Technology, London, is Dr. Jeremy Legget. He was a young and comfortable insider in the mid-1980s when he started reading scientific journals that conveyed disturbing signs about the build-up of greenhouse gases that atmospheric physicists were becoming concerned about. As he got to know more about the subject, the tension between his growing environmentalism and his job came to a head. He ended his 'blue skies' romance with the oil cartel. Today he is CEO of Solar Century and Fellow in Solar Energy at Oxford University. Oil Clique: The myth of 'blue skies' however persists with the help of glossy ads and brilliantly conceived commercials that plague the medium of TV. The soothing music and sense of comfort induced by panoramic scenes of incredible beauty are at stark variance with the reality that thousands of victims of eco-terrorism are exposed to today throughout the world. Eco-terrorism is a mild term to describe the oil clique that operates from the White House of US of A. Referred to as the 'Big Oil' cabinet because of the six members that include Condoleezza Rice and Dick Cheney who are closely linked to the industry, the country has been dubbed the 'climate pariah' for having backed out of the Kyoto Agreement. Michael Moore’s documentary film 'Fahrenheit 9/11' serves only to confirm a long held suspicion about the destruction of the Iraqi regime of Saddam Hussein. The agenda was always control of the oil fields: 'yesterday's firm ally' overnight became 'today's sworn enemy'. Goa Scenario: What is happening in Goa today is an enactment in miniature of what is happening on the world stage. We have a combination of an irresponsible government, a compliant bureaucracy, the machinations of an insensitive oil corporation and an electorate that is either half asleep or concerned about its own potbelly. It is incomprehensible to us that that climate change in the North can cause a tsunami in the South; or that ozone depletion in Canada can cause global warming and consequent floods in India. We live in a cocoon of our own. We believe God is on our side; but the important question is: are we on God's side? If we are on God's side, we would be protective of the environment that he has created for us; we would be living in harmony with nature and in peace with our neighbours, whatever their gender, creed or colour. We would ensure equal opportunities for all. And, we would not go to war for oil. If we are on God's side we would be discerning about the governance of our State and wary of the promises of those in whose hands we entrust our well being. Especially, we would be cautious about those who sow confusion in our minds. In the time-honoured tradition of 'green wash', that is what the oil cartel is doing worldwide: presenting the smiling face of climate change to a gullible people. And that is what the Oil Corporation is doing in Goa too. Vital Questions: In the tiny village of Moira (Pop. 4000, area four sq.km) questions are being raised about the intentions of BPCL. These are some of the questions: Why women? (Think Nursing and Pregnant Mothers). Why has BPLC chosen to appoint women entrepreneurs for operating their petroleum storage facilities? Are they unaware of the occupational health hazards for anybody, more so nursing and pregnant mothers, who breathe in the toxic fumes in such situations? Why the green belt? (Think small village economy.) Why is BPCL targeting horticultural land in rural areas to locate their petroleum storage facilities? Are they unaware of the potential damage to the environment and ecology from spillage, leakage and leaching of toxic substances into the soil, ground water and air? Why residential rural areas? (Think peaceful homes, quiet neighbourhoods.) What purpose does it serve BPCL to locate their storage facilities in residential areas of a village? Are they unaware that many homes in the village depend on their well water for drinking and cooking? Riding roughshod: In consort with their global big brother, BPCL is striving to present the smiling face of climate change to the trusting people of Goa. They say they will provide their service "at the door-step of the farmers". For goodness sake! Our village is not situated in some remote pampas! We are within three kms of the nearest pump in Mapuca. In any case, we are marginal farmers and none are into mechanised farming yet. So why is BPCL and Goa's bureaucracy riding roughshod over the aspirations of a little village? Why do they rely on an antiquated Petroleum Act, 1934 that fails to even acknowledge the provisions of Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994 for participatory democracy? Ours is a struggle for justice and peace. We will persevere. Nazar da Silva can be contacted at 709 Sataporio, Moira Goa Phone 2470290.

Impacts of Climate Change A one metre rise in sea level will adversely affect 7 per cent of the population in Goa, and cause damages to the tune of Rs 8,100 crore. Climate-related disasters have brought widespread misery and huge economic losses to India, adversely affecting public health, food security, agriculture, water resources and biodiversity. The situation is likely to worsen if human beings continue to pump ‘greenhouse gases’ (GHGs) like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. These gases trap heat from the sun and thus lead to ‘global warming’. As the Earth’s temperature rises, a series of reactions take place – for instance, sea levels rise and inundate land, weather patterns change and have an impact on agricultural productivity, precious fresh water evaporates faster, disease carrying vectors increase, thus leading to epidemics. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to in 1992 and the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, the two international agreements to deal with global warming, have not yet succeeded in reducing GHG emissions. Rich countries, where per capita emissions of carbon dioxide are much higher due to higher usage of fossil fuel, are unwilling to compromise their lifestyles by reducing fossil fuel consumption. The US, in particular, is responsible for a quarter of the world’s total emissions of carbon dioxide, but has refused to cooperate in a global agreement to reduce these emissions. Meanwhile, subsidies on fossil fuel around the world prevent sustainable energy technologies such as solar power from becoming competitive. The world today faces two challenges if we are to deal effectively with the biggest challenge faced by humankind. The first is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions drastically by moving to renewable technologies as soon as possible. The second is to prepare to deal with the impacts of climate change that are already inevitable due to existing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and cannot be avoided even if the world stops emitting carbon dioxide immediately. Although limited scientific research has been carried out on the impacts of climate change on India, this fact sheet documents existing studies on the impacts on western and central India. Agriculture The arrival and performance of the monsoon is no insignificant matter in India every year, and is avidly tracked by the national media. This is because most of the states in the country are largely dependant on rainfall for irrigation. Any change in rainfall patterns poses a serious threat to agriculture, and therefore to the country’s economy and food security. Scientists predict that because of global warming, this already fickle weather system could become even more undependable. Semi-arid regions of western India are expected to receive higher than normal rainfall as temperatures soar, while central India will experience a decrease of between 10 and 20 per cent in winter rainfall by the 2050s.1 Agriculture will be adversely affected not only by an increase or decrease in the overall amounts of rainfall, but also by shifts in the timing of the rainfall. For instance, over the last few years, the Chattisgarh region has received less than its share of pre-monsoon showers in May and June. These showers are important to ensure adequate moisture in fields being prepared for rice crops.2 Agriculture will be worst affected in the coastal regions of Gujarat and Maharashtra, where agriculturally fertile areas are vulnerable to inundation and salinisation.3 Standing crop in these regions is also more likely to be damaged due to cyclonic activity. In Rajasthan, a 2°C rise in temperature was estimated to reduce production of pearl millet by 10-15 per cent.4 The state of Madhya Pradesh, where soybean is grown on 77 per cent of all agricultural land, could dubiously benefit from an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. According to some studies, soybean yields could go up by as much as 50 per cent if the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere doubles. However, if this increase in carbon dioxide is accompanied by an increase in temperature, as expected, then soybean yields could actually decrease. If the maximum and minimum temperatures go up by 1°C and 1.5°C respectively, the gain in yield comes down to 35 per cent. If maximum and minimum temperatures rise by 3°C and 3.5°C respectively, then soybean yields will decrease by five per cent compared to 1998.5 Changes in the soil, pests and weeds brought by climate change will also affect agriculture in India. For instance, the amount of moisture in the soil will be affected by changes in factors such as precipitation, runoff, and evaporation. Health In the summer of 1994, western India experienced temperatures as high as 50°C, providing favourable conditions for disease-carrying vectors to breed.8 Not surprisingly, 1994 was also the year that the town of Surat in Gujarat was hit by an epidemic of pneumonic plague, resulting in 59 deaths. In the same year, as summer gave way to the monsoon and western India was flooded with rains for three months, Surat was hit by a malaria epidemic.9 Weather conditions determine malaria transmission to a considerable extent. Heavy rainfall results in puddles, which provide good breeding conditions for mosquitoes. In arid areas of western Rajasthan and Gujarat, malaria epidemics have often followed excessive rainfall. In very humid climates, drought may also turn rivers into puddles.10 Coastal areas The coastal states of Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat face a grave risk from sea level rise, which could flood land (including agricultural land), and cause damage to coastal infrastructure and other property. Goa will be the worst hit, losing a large percentage of its total land area, including many of its famous beaches and tourist infrastructure.11 A one metre rise in sea level will adversely affect 7 per cent of the population in Goa, and cause damages to the tune of Rs 8,100 crore. In the state of Maharashtra, over 13 lakh people are at risk.13 The cost of damages for Mumbai, the business capital of India, is estimated to be Rs 2,28,700 crore. Mumbai’s northern suburbs like Versova Beach and other populated areas along tidal mud flats and creeks are vulnerable to land loss and increased flooding due to sea level rise. Beyond actual inundation, rising sea levels will also put millions of people at greater risk of flooding. This will displace a large number of people and result in rapid urbanisation (as already seen in some parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra), straining resources and putting more pressure on civic amenities. Increased seawater percolation may further reduce freshwater supplies. Biodiversity One of the largest breeding colonies of the Greater Flamingo lies in the saltwater marshes and mudflats of the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. As global warming causes a rise in sea level, these marshes and mudflats are likely to be submerged. The habitat of the endangered Lesser Florican and Indian Wild Ass, both found in the Rann of Kutch, could also be lost. All along the western Indian coastline, tropical ecosystems and species such as mangroves and coral reefs are threatened by changes in temperature, rising sea levels and increased concentrations of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Already, nearly 30 per cent of the coral reefs in the Gulf of Kutch are ‘bleached’ as they loose the colourful algae that live on them — an occurrence associated with seawater warming.17 In future, the entire belt of coral reefs along the south Gujarat coast is in danger of getting bleached.18 The state of Gujarat has the largest area of mangrove forests after West Bengal. While the mangroves of the Gulf of Kutch could possibly adapt to low or moderate sea level rise, a rise of more than one metre in the next century could cause serious losses.19 The mangroves are also threatened by the rise in temperature, which causes decreased tree height and leaf size. Besides sea level rise and temperature stress, the mangroves in the Gulf towards Jamnagar and the Kutch coasts are also threatened by drought. Gujarat — particularly the district of Kutch — has large areas of marine wetlands, which play an important role in maintaining the coastal environment, and in providing sustenance to coastal communities. These could be adversely impacted due to sea level rise, and changes in water temperature, availability and quality. What can you do? Policy makers in India either do not know about, or do not take seriously, the economic, health-related and environmental impacts of climate change. This is largely because they feel no pressure from the public to deal with the problem. It is therefore important to make sure that your local government representatives understand this threat and feel pressure from you to take action. Urban and rural communities should pressurise their representatives to take up the issue with the state and central government, and develop strategies at three levels: At the local level, steps should be taken to minimise the impacts of global warming on communities, and to build adaptive capacities where possible. For instance, constructing sea walls can reduce the threat of coastal flooding. Crop varieties tolerant to saline water should be developed for regions likely to suffer salt-water intrusion in their aquifers. At the national level, a wide section of the Indian civil society, including economists, scientists and legal experts, should be involved in understanding the threats from global warming to the country, and in developing strategies to deal with them. In particular, scientists should be encouraged to further study the impacts of climate change, to better understand the nature of the impacts and take preventive action where possible. At the global level, India should demand that industrialised countries, largely responsible for causing global warming, should reduce their emissions of harmful gases and pay for the damage they have already caused. The positions taken by the Indian government on climate change at global meetings should be made public, and Indian civil society should be allowed to participate in their formulation.

First Of Its Kind 3-Day Sand Art Festival http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-5360587,prtpage-1.cms TNN 21 December 2009, 07:28am IST PANAJI: Concerns over climate change have wafted from the summit of Copenhagen, to the sands of Candolim. The first-ever 3-day Goa Sand Art festival 2009 got underway at Candolim beach on Friday with about a dozen fine arts students crafting sculptures in the sand to depict the theme of “Stop Global Warming.” “This is India’s first sand art festival involving students,” says festival director Jerry Jose. The festival has been organised by Jose and Flavian D’Souza, both from Mumbai with the support of Goa tourism. “Sand art is very popular in the west. But it is not the case in India. Our aim to popularise the craft of sand art in India. We also intend to use it to raise awareness about global warming,” Jose said. On the first day of Friday, the dozen arts students from Mumbai, Pune and Goa set about their pleasant task of sand sculpting on the water’s edge at 9.30 in the morning. Under the gaze of bikini-ed foreigners and curious tourists, two sculptures emerged in the sand by 3.30 p.m. One is an ice-cream cone topped with a round scoop of ice cream. With the continents clearly marked on it, the round scoop represents the world. Alas! The ice cream is melting! “It is melting because of the heat of climate change. And so will the globe if we don’t take corrective measures,” said Jose. The second sculpture is that of an overflowing cup. The message is clear; the pressures on earth will force it to overflow into extinction. On Saturday, the team had planned new sand sculptures but with the same theme of global warming. Tentatively, they had decided to make a sculpture of a woman representing Mother Earth protecting her child. The other sculpture would dwell on protection of trees. “But these are tentative ideas. We will brainstrom in the night and finalise our ideas then,” said Jose. “With the climate change talks going on in Copenhagen, this is an appropriate time for the theme of Stop Global Warming,” said Bee Shaw, a Britishborn lady living in Spain. Shaw who had watched the sculptures unfold over the morning, described the art as “very artistic, great!”