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Goans in Bainguinim oppose waste management plant; demand relocation of project

Reported by

Maitreya Ghorpade

Legal Review by

Anmol Gupta, Mukta Joshi

Edited by

Radhika Chatterjee

Updated by

Published on

July 21, 2022

July 26, 2022

Edited on

July 21, 2022

State

Goa

Sector

Infrastructure

People Affected by Conflict

Households Affected by Conflict

1010

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

171

ha

Starting Year

2019

Location of Conflict

Bainguinim

Tiswadi Taluka

North Goa

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Waste Management

Land Conflict Summary

Goa Waste Management Corporation’s (GWMC) proposal to construct a 250 Tonne Per Day (TPD) Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF) in Bainguinim Village of Goa has led to protests by local communities who are opposing the project.

The Rs. 169.17 Crore project is planned across a 17 Ha. plot which was acquired by the Corporation of City of Panaji in 2008, and handed over to GWMC in 2017, who are responsible for the project's planning and execution. As per its Environment Impact Assessment Report, the project aims to ensure “the scientific processing and disposal of the solid waste by the local bodies in compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules, 2016.”

While protest marches attended by thousands of Goa locals against utilising the acquired land for a SWMF were first carried out in 2013, the people’s movement intensified in 2020, when GWMC’s 250 TPD project was granted environmental clearance. Primarily, the opposition to the waste management facility has been due its proximity to several residential complexes cumulatively housing over 1000 apartments, many of whom share a common boundary wall with the project.

The Pornem Goemch Nagrik Monch and Bainguinim Citizens Forum have been leading the movement against the project, with participation of local Congress Party leadership. Speaking to LCW, Silverio Diaz, Secretary, Bainguinim Citizens Forum stated: “The proposed land is in violation of the siting criteria as set out in Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Amended Guidelines on the Provision of Buffer Zone Around Waste Processing and Disposal Facilities, 2019. Further, even if the facility uses the best technology for processing waste, we fear that for a 250 TPD plant there will be a long line of trucks carrying wet waste from various locations.The plant and its premises will turn into a breeding ground for vermin, pests and other disease causing vectors which will pose a greater threat to the lives of people within the proximity of the proposed land.”

The citizens’ key demand is to shift the project from its current location as they fear adverse health impacts for those living in residential apartments that are located close to the project site. Citizens also fear that the stench of garbage will adversely impact the children whose school premises are located within 300 metres from the SWMF boundary.

Another major concern of the locals is the damaging effect of a waste management facility on the closely-situated Goan heritage sites, a concern that has been echoed by the Goa Roman Catholic Church as well.

A GWMC official who spoke to LCW on the condition of anonymity, said the project “will not create pollution, (as) it is a waste management plant which is there for the scientific management of waste.”
A petition filed by the Bainguinim Citizens Forum challenging the environmental clearance granted for the SWMF was dismissed by the National Green Tribunal in September 2020. A civil appeal against the NGT order was filed in the Supreme Court in 2021 by Bainguinim Citizens Forum. This case is still pending in the apex Court. But protests have restarted on ground since June 2022.  

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to cancel the project

Opposition against environmental degradation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to relocate the project

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Type of Common Land

Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

169.17

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

2019

Page Number In Investment Document:

31

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Legislations/Policies Involved

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
Rule 19(2) [The waste management facility must be designed to follow technical guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board] Schedule I (vii) [Among other criteria for site selection, a landfill must be at least 200 metres from habitations]
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
Paragraph 8(vi) [Regulatory Authority may reject the application for prior environmental clearance if they find deliberate concealment of information/ submission of false information] Schedule, Paragraph 7(i) [List of projects requiring prior environmental clearance include waste management facilities]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

No

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Violation of environmental laws

Non-consultation with stakeholders

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Pending

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

National Green Tribunal, Supreme Court

Case Number

Appeal No. 32/2020 (NGT), C.A. 4983/2021 (Supreme Court)

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

The Appeal filed against the environmental clearance in the NGT was disposed of by the tribunal on September 24, 2020. The Tribunal accepted the arguments of the project proponent that there was no construction around the site when it had acquired the land in 2006. The Tribunal issued directions merely for the conditions in the environmental clearance to be followed and monitored by the State PCB. An appeal against the NGT order was filed before the Supreme Court in 2021. The case was last heard on April 21, 2022, and will next be heard for final hearing. There is no information given for the next date of hearing.

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Media-based activism/alternative media

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Campaigns (grassroots organisations/press releases/media)

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Goa Town and Country Planning Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Goa Waste Management Corporation

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Bainguinim Citizens Forum; Pornem Goemch Nagrik Monch

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Citizens Protest Bainguinim Waste Management Plant

Image Credit:  

Herald Goa

Protesting Locals March on Old Goa Streets

Image Credit:  

Ambar Amonkar

Video

Goa 365 TV

Goa Waste Management Corporation’s (GWMC) proposal to construct a 250 Tonne Per Day (TPD) Solid Waste Management Facility (SWMF) in Bainguinim Village of Goa has led to protests by local communities who are opposing the project.

The Rs. 169.17 Crore project is planned across a 17 Ha. plot which was acquired by the Corporation of City of Panaji in 2008, and handed over to GWMC in 2017, who are responsible for the project's planning and execution. As per its Environment Impact Assessment Report, the project aims to ensure “the scientific processing and disposal of the solid waste by the local bodies in compliance with the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) Rules, 2016.”

While protest marches attended by thousands of Goa locals against utilising the acquired land for a SWMF were first carried out in 2013, the people’s movement intensified in 2020, when GWMC’s 250 TPD project was granted environmental clearance. Primarily, the opposition to the waste management facility has been due its proximity to several residential complexes cumulatively housing over 1000 apartments, many of whom share a common boundary wall with the project.

The Pornem Goemch Nagrik Monch and Bainguinim Citizens Forum have been leading the movement against the project, with participation of local Congress Party leadership. Speaking to LCW, Silverio Diaz, Secretary, Bainguinim Citizens Forum stated: “The proposed land is in violation of the siting criteria as set out in Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, the Amended Guidelines on the Provision of Buffer Zone Around Waste Processing and Disposal Facilities, 2019. Further, even if the facility uses the best technology for processing waste, we fear that for a 250 TPD plant there will be a long line of trucks carrying wet waste from various locations.The plant and its premises will turn into a breeding ground for vermin, pests and other disease causing vectors which will pose a greater threat to the lives of people within the proximity of the proposed land.”

The citizens’ key demand is to shift the project from its current location as they fear adverse health impacts for those living in residential apartments that are located close to the project site. Citizens also fear that the stench of garbage will adversely impact the children whose school premises are located within 300 metres from the SWMF boundary.

Another major concern of the locals is the damaging effect of a waste management facility on the closely-situated Goan heritage sites, a concern that has been echoed by the Goa Roman Catholic Church as well.

A GWMC official who spoke to LCW on the condition of anonymity, said the project “will not create pollution, (as) it is a waste management plant which is there for the scientific management of waste.”
A petition filed by the Bainguinim Citizens Forum challenging the environmental clearance granted for the SWMF was dismissed by the National Green Tribunal in September 2020. A civil appeal against the NGT order was filed in the Supreme Court in 2021 by Bainguinim Citizens Forum. This case is still pending in the apex Court. But protests have restarted on ground since June 2022.  

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to cancel the project

Opposition against environmental degradation

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Demand to relocate the project

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Common

Type of Common Land

Non-Forest (Other than Grazing Land)

Total investment involved (in Crores):

169.17

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

2019

Page Number In Investment Document:

31

Has the Conflict Ended?

No

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Legislations/Policies Involved

Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016
Rule 19(2) [The waste management facility must be designed to follow technical guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control Board] Schedule I (vii) [Among other criteria for site selection, a landfill must be at least 200 metres from habitations]
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
Paragraph 8(vi) [Regulatory Authority may reject the application for prior environmental clearance if they find deliberate concealment of information/ submission of false information] Schedule, Paragraph 7(i) [List of projects requiring prior environmental clearance include waste management facilities]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

No

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

Violation of environmental laws

Non-consultation with stakeholders

Legal Status:

In Court

Status of Case In Court

Pending

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Name of the adjudicatory body

Name(s) of the Court(s)

National Green Tribunal, Supreme Court

Case Number

Appeal No. 32/2020 (NGT), C.A. 4983/2021 (Supreme Court)

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

The Appeal filed against the environmental clearance in the NGT was disposed of by the tribunal on September 24, 2020. The Tribunal accepted the arguments of the project proponent that there was no construction around the site when it had acquired the land in 2006. The Tribunal issued directions merely for the conditions in the environmental clearance to be followed and monitored by the State PCB. An appeal against the NGT order was filed before the Supreme Court in 2021. The case was last heard on April 21, 2022, and will next be heard for final hearing. There is no information given for the next date of hearing.

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Media-based activism/alternative media

Complaints/petitions/letters/memorandums to officials

Campaigns (grassroots organisations/press releases/media)

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Goa Town and Country Planning Department

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Goa Waste Management Corporation

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

1. An official of the Goa Waste Management Corporation who spoke to LCW on the condition of anonymity said, “All the necessary design changes have been incorporated. Land was first identified for waste management plant, and residential people have come after that, so the people don’t have a say as such. This plant will not create pollution as it is a waste management plant which is there for the scientific management of waste.” 2. K. Ashok Kumar, Dy. Town Planner, Town and Country Planning Department, Goa Govt. said he “can’t comment” on how the waste management plant is allowed to share boundaries with residential apartments.

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Bainguinim Citizens Forum; Pornem Goemch Nagrik Monch

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:
Citizens Protest Bainguinim Waste Management Plant

Citizens Protest Bainguinim Waste Management Plant

Image Credit:  

Herald Goa

Citizens Protest Bainguinim Waste Management Plant

Protesting Locals March on Old Goa Streets

Image Credit:  

Ambar Amonkar

Goa 365 TV

Documented By

Text Link

Reviewed By

Text Link

Updated By

Text Link

Edited By

Text LinkLand Conflict Watch
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