The Goenchi Mati Movement is an environmental campaign over the issue of mining in Goa that has put forth the demand for the setting up of a "Goenchi Mati Permanent Fund" to "preserve our ancestral wealth for future generation". [1] In the local Konkani language, the words "Goenchi Mati" literally means soil of Goa.
The campaign has been quoted [2] as saying, "We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children." Its name has also been translated [2] from the Konkani as Goa's land or Goa's earth. The movement was initiated in 2014, [2] and "advocates mining reforms, an issue of massive importance in Goa as it is the largest social and environmental problem in the state." [2]
Rahul Basu of the Goenchi Mati Movement has been quoted as saying, "Our work has mainly revolved around litigation in the Supreme Court. Our manifesto has repeatedly raised the issue of miners’ rights versus the rights of future generations to Goa's minerals." [2]
Its roots have been traced to the Indian Supreme Court Writ Petition (Civil) 435 of 2012, "which requires the creation of a Goan Iron Ore Permanent Fund." [3] In 2012, the Indian Supreme Court "declared all mining activities in the State illegal as they were being carried out without valid licenses and leases. It also held that any lease grant, including renewals, must adhere to constitutional requirements." [3]
Tiny Goa is one of India's richest iron ore areas, and has exported up to one-third of India's ore exports in some past years. According to the movement, however, "publicly available data shows that for the eight year period 2004-05 till 2011-12, the State of Goa has received less than 5% of the value of its ore (after considering all associated expenses). This works out to a meagre Rs. 2,387 crores when it ought to have captured Rs. 53,833 crores. Quick calculations show that the State of Goa has declining wealth on account of the sale of its natural resources for a pittance." [3]
This movement, as well as what it calls the "Ore Chor! 144" campaign, were promoted by the Goa Foundation, an environmental group based in the former Portuguese colony of Goa, now a state on the Indian west coast, "in direct response to mining in Goa." [4] Formed in 1986, the Goa Foundation has spearheaded a number of local environmental issues in Goa, particularly over luxury tourism, mining and the like.
The group says it campaign has been based on two principles:
The campaign demands have included:
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