Activity 3: Beach clean up on 22nd May 2011

Our Third beach clean up was held on the 22nd of May, from 4pm to 7pm, at the Taj beach-Trinity-Benaulim stretch. About 35 volunteers, mainly the youth, were a part of the clean-up. About 28 huge garbage bags were cleared off.

We met at the Trinity beach at 4pm and formed 2 groups, each set out in opposite direction. Collection of garbage was carried out along with segregation. Garbage was segregated into degradable and non-degrable.

It is a shame to see the amount of garbage lying around the beaches and the fact that the authorities responsible to clear the same are doing absolutely nothing about it. Also, not a single trash can is to be seen on any of our beaches, and even the few that are present are overflowing with garbage and are attracting all sorts of insects, rodents, germs etc. Its high time trash cans are introduced on our beaches and are maintained well too.

Beach clean up drive, 22nd May

Its time 2 play our parts for our dear mother land, yet again!!!

The next clean up drive by 3G-Goa Going Green has been scheduled to be held on 22nd May, 2011.

We meet at the TRINITY BEACH at 4pm, sharp. We then head out in opposite directions towards VARCA and BENAULIM beaches.

Gloves and Bags will be provided, but please do try to bring your own gloves.

Lets save our Beaches and keep Goa's beautiful identity intact.

 

GEE THOSE 3G BRATS! by DAVID ALBUQUERQUE

When a number appears before the letter ‘G’
I say: “Gee, better stay clear
G stands for the rajas and ranis who’ve caused all this gooby dirt"

Now I hear '3 G' - and fear the worst:
Dirt, dirt and more dirt
But Lo!  Am I wrong
You are folks I see clear Dirt
Your dirt
My Dirt
The-guys- who-spill-and spew-out-of-buses’ dirt

3 G, you grubby Dirt Cleaners, you noble brats of Goa
Do you even know what you’ve done?
Cleaned Goa? Cleaned her beaches? Cleaned her soul?
Far, far more, dear brats
Your biggest clean up job is – me

Your hands are busy, your fingers nimble
Doing something that relates to birds - or the sounds they make
(Darned! I never can get my head around all these new whatchamacallits your generation does all the time)
Yet those hands are on Goa, her beaches, her once-forested hills, her rivers
Those hands cradle, tenderly mend this hurt and bleeding land
Injured by us
- the Generation Greedy
- And those magnificent men in their cars
Cars that flaunt our national flag
And their power over this land and her people

Your eyes are before screens and monitors –always – so we believe
Yet you see things we don’t see
Things on a beach
Or a river
Dirty, yucky things

Your ears are stuffed with another of those new thingammies – again all the time
Yet you hear what we don’t hear
- The cries of a wounded, dying land

3G beach clean up: Hope prevails!! by NANDITA COSTA

Riding my bike to Colva, I pass once green fields dumped with garbage… Cars racing past… faster, faster… on the road to destruction!! I’m heading for the 3G Beach clean-up. I’m already running late.

Soon to be greeted by an enormous number of people… site seeing, littering…walking the air of human arrogance, most disconnected what so ever with nature! In this milieu, I feel like an outcast.. the conversation of previous days, ringing my nerves… “Change is not possible” “You can’t do nothing to help Goa” “Your wasting your time” “It’s a bit too late!!”  

Silence!!  Off with the sceptics!!

It’s not long before I escape such ‘encouragement’ and spot a number of youth struggling to carry the waste they’ve collected on the Colva Beach. Young, spontaneous, full of purpose…  tired, dirty… longing for a shower!

“Ola!! I’ve been looking for you guys a long time! !” Filled with hope I greet and hug... Change is hear and the movement begun!! Let’s take it forward!! One step done… now to the next!! Lets combine our talent into one force!

My heart extends to David, Anne, Delroy, Alacoque, Alison and  others who made this possible!! Many of whom I meet for the first time… But share one thing in common- “We are Goan & We care”! Our blood is young, our ideas unmet, our spirit soaring… ! Brain storm people… Let’s work out a concrete plan… let’s meet again!

Think of ‘Captain Planet’ my hero as a kid…

And here we are... on our way to becoming heroes ourselves!!

"Destroyers of Goa… Here we come!!!"

Let no one tell you that we can't, cause we can and we will SAVE GOA!

Activity 2: Massive Beach Clean-up on Sunday, May 1st 2011

Our once beautiful And clean goan beaches are now getting destroyed, due to the carelessnes of tourists and locals alike.
On the 1st of may , 3g - Goa going green , organised a beach clean up at Colva beach from 4 pm to 7 pm. 45 volunteers mainly consisting of youth from different places around margao came for the clean up.
Members of the Green team,consisting of school students from Benaulim also participated. they cleared up the waste starting from sernabatim to Betalbatim. The majority of the garbage consisted of beedi packets and plastic carry bags and peoples old chappals. 26 such bags of trash were collected.

The bags were then set aside to be collected by a government employed garbage contractor who is in charge of maintaining the garbage disposal at the beach.

The main reason behind the filthy beaches is the absence of dustbins. Most of the tourists complain that they had no where to throw their waste and hence just leave it behind. Setting up of proper dustbins and providing for segregation of waste would go a long way in preserving our beautiful Goa.....!!

Oppose Jaitapur Nuclear power plant

Goa is being sandwiched between THE WORLD'S LARGEST PROPOSED NUCLEAR PLANT AT JAITAPUR (RATNAGIRI) and the already existing KAIGA (KARWAR)!!

Now the question arises as to why the setting up of Jaitpur Nuclear Plant needs to be opposed, so here is the answer.

Earthquake prone site

Since Jaitapur being seismically sensitive area, the danger of an accident has been foremost on the minds of people. According to the Earthquake hazard zoning of India, Jaitapur comes under Zone III. This zone is called the moderate Risk Zone and covers areas liable to MSK VIII.

The presence of two major creeks on the proposed site has been ignored while clearing the site.

Tsunami probability

The probability of a tsunami, and the damage thereof, has not been taken into account while clearing the site.

Radiation effects

Effects of nuclear radiation seen in Rawatbhata, India, has raised questions on effects of radiation on health of people staying near nuclear power plants. The rise in deformities seen in Rawatbhata is alarming.

Radioactive waste disposal

It is not clear where the nuclear waste emanating from the site will be dumped. The plant is estimated to generate 300 tonnes of waste each year. EPR waste will have about four times as much radioactive Bromine, Iodine, Caesium, etc, compared to ordinary pressurized water reactor.

 

Future of fisheries

Since the plant will use the sea water for cooling and then release warm water in the Arabian Sea, fishermen in villages around are predicting destruction of fisheries in the nearby sea. Media articles also highlight the possible human and fisheries cost of this project.

 

Tata Institute of Social Sciences Report

Social impact assessment review of the project are being conducted by the Jamsetji Tata centre for disaster management of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). According to this report, the Government of India is not fully transparent with its own citizens. The government is hiding facts about huge negative impact on the social and environmental development of the Konkan region in general and the government also manipulating notification of the area from high severity earthquake zone to moderate seismic severity zone.

Activity 2: Massive Beach Clean-up

For all those of you who love Goa and hate 2 see its beauty being destroyed right in front of ur eyes, here's your chance to keep GOA GOING GREEN... yet again!!

 2nd activity by 3G GoaGoing Green to be held on 1st May, 2011. A massive Clean up drive along the Sernabatim-Betalbatim stretch from 4pm-6pm!!

So guys, get those gloves on.. its time to load those trashbags!!

P.S
Gloves and bags will be provided BUT to make sure we dont run out of them it would be nice if ul could get your own gloves as the cleaning gets messy.. And those who wish to donate bags to collect the waste in, feel free to bring some along with you'll.. it will be highly appreciated.

Enviro-MENTAL!!!

The sound of the breeze is become true noise.

The feel of the atmosphere, has brought about the FEEL of UTTER MOST FEAR.

The depth of the sea vomits the oil, the infested salts have made it to our soil.

The sun also makes us feel like we are a burnt thin piece of foil.

So many years have passed, the laws of nature have been trespassed.

Now MAMA cries from deep within, as all of us know there has been a tilt in her spin.

Power to make sure we have the highest towers,

greed that exists so that together we can also move with great momentum and speed.

But have we considered the plight of why she cries, that too tears that are acidic and a little dry.

A poem like this will not change any of these, but what it can do is post a requisition in our foolish mind fields.

Conserve what remains, and save what still exists.

Capture a bunch of like minded people and maybe get rid of the plastic that STICKS.

Just start a revolution like the 3G community, because going green and trying to wipe off MOM's watery eyes is OUR resolution.

This cause is upheld by us, because the authority has totally forgotten their duty.

So it US the 3G YOUTH who are helping our MOTHER NATURE bear better FRUIT!!!!

Oppose Kala Academy Annexe

Hi Friends,
I appeal to you to oppose the Kala Academy Annexe which is proposed to be constructed in the existing parking lot and will lead to felling of more than 30 age-old trees in the process. If the expansion is allowed to take place, it will increase traffic congestion and parking problems in Panjim. Support the 'Fight Back against Kala Academy' campaign.

Please support the campaign in any form you can. Even awareness over the internet will make a difference. Thank you :)

Activity 1: Beach Cleaning Drive on Sunday 3rd April 2011

Goa is rightfully known an d "Land of Beaches" and so, we decided to begin the 3G project with a beach cleaning drive. As of now, beach cleaning is our priority.

On Sunday 3rd April 2011, a group of youngsters under this programme carried out the beach cleaning drive. Sernabatim to Benaulim stretch was cleaned and 8 huge garbage bags were cleared off.

The next activity will soon be announced. Suggestions and ideas for new projects are welcome. :)