Development Trust Review
Bori Development trust is NGO has been working for the Borim village, after World Borikar Convention (Bori Utsav) in 2009. This is a group of educated residents interested in ensuring overall development of the village in human resource, infrastructure and protection of biodiversity and environment.
The anniversary of the Bori Utsav was celebrated for last 10 years in various wards (Deulwada, Khazodem, Tishem, Parpatiwada, Shirshirem, Betki, Paniwada & Tamshire). We have established Bori Awards for Best Journalist, Poet, Social Worker and Medical practitioner from Goa. The Utsav has been a platform to celebrate the young achievers from Bori in the area of education, sports, culture & bravery. Talent development for music, fancy dress, dance, cooking, Rangoli, government primary school drawing, lantern making, has been done over the years.
We have supported establishing a science higher secondary, conducted environment workshop & career guidance in educational institutions. For three years, BDT conducted theatre workshop with renowned trainer Avinash Chari, we also thank panchayat to donate RS. 5000 for one workshop.
In 2017 BDT started an art development program Bori Kalangan. 50 student artists from Pragati Vidyalaya & Swami Vivekanand High School will weekly make a drawing each at Top Cola bus stop black board on Swacch Bharat, Nital Goem topic. All paraticipants were felicitated by Governor of Goa Dr. Mridula Sinha.
This year Bori Kalangan has a drawing competition for all 10 schools (Pragati Vidyalaya, Swami Vivekanand Vidyalaya & govt primary schools). Bori Kalangan is supported by renowned artist Shridhar Kamat Bambolkar.
Environment protection has been a major focus all these years. Initial efforts were started with Jaycees and BDT to influence school children to learn waste management. Then a Clean Bori, Green Bori Drive in 2011 with collection of more than 100 bags of garbage was achieved. In 2016, Smarat Club & BDT distributed waste drums to businesses in Bori. BDT has managed dry waste in Bori from 2011 to 2017. We had a partial funding from panchayat for last two years. The Governor of Goa appreciated the Swacch Bori Abhiyan – 2016 efforts brining all NGOs to manage waste and declared an award of Rs. 50,000. In 2017 with Jalyatra, Nari Shakti and Ami Fondekar we cleaned Bori falls with collection of 70 bags of trash. We have pledged to help the Bori panchayat in its efforts to manage waste from Oct 2017. In 2018, we arranged a demonstration lecture by Convener of VDC of Navelim panchayat to successfully establish a wet waste management station with black soldier fly colonies and now we are duplicating them. We have installed sanitary napkins incinerator to manage biomedical waste in all educational institutions (schools, higher secondary & College)
We have arranged a comprehensive water management symposium in 2013 and this year have started conservation of water with trenches & bunds in Kalmamol area with help from Dr. Sachin Tendulkar. The results for past two years are encouraging with increase of around 1 mt of water table. GSPCB in 2017 has issued memorandum to establish fire crackers in Goa to meet CPCB standards for distribution, this was initiated by BDT.
We installed Ganesh Visarjan Boards in 2014 to maintain the area sanctity and nirmalya kund during the immersion days. The Navdurga Lake & Nallah inspection with GSPCB, Health, WRD & panchayat was initiated in 2014 and participated in the reinspection in 2018. Several plans for Navdurga Lake beautification and making Siddhanath Hill as plastic free zone for tourism 2012.
In an effort to protect private forests, orchard and non-development zones from being abused from illegal development thereby damaging the biodiversity of Bori. We stopped Tannamule Illegal Quarry project in 2011 and illegal cement block factory in 2012. We could stop illegal development in Survey No 126 with a PIL at HC. This year the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court and the bench gave decision in our favor to stop illegal development in SN 126.
Sakhalya Khanir encroachment and illegal construction under litigation from 2006 initially by Shripad Sawkar and from 2014 till date by panchayat and BDT. The WRD has now put a notice to stop any illegal encroachment.
But in recent years illegal development of plots and construction on orchard, non-developing slopes and private forests is rampant in the village esp in survey nos. 120, 122 (Solmushle), 356 (Parpatiwada), 365 (Paniwada), 140/5 (Miring, Betki), 25, 26 (Shirshirem), 115 (Balangal, Shirshirem), 44 (Tanamulye, Shirshrem), 2 (Deulwada), 319 (Tamshire) and now recently in 165/2 & 167 (Betki) and 117 (protected forest in Shirshirem). Unfortunately the panchayat has not issued show cause notices to stop the menace.
Let me explain how we address the above issue of damage to environment. Please note BDT does not have any jurisdiction to stop any legal or illegal development. We do not even address any noncompliance on expansion of any private houses. When we see or hear of any damage to any private forests, orchard and non-development zone properties we ask town & country planning department, if they have given permission. If we find permission is official, we send an appreciation letter to the developer. If the town and country planning department find it illegal they issue a FIR to the police and start their proceedings. Please note BDT does not complain against any developer. We want to be vigilant, so all the development work is done correctly as per laid down rules which will impart safety and avoid any environmental degradation.
We have a done a medical Camp and taken efforts to get the primary health center to have doctor more frequently and pursued open defecation free Bori. The eye donation program is launched in 2014. We need panchayat to help in reaching the eye donation program to all the wards.
BDT arranged football camp in 2012 and donated Pragati Vidyalaya a cricket kit for their girls team as appreciation for a great performance in 2015. All the Swami Vivekanand base ball players are recognized each year (2011-2017).
We have been after functional Betki Crematorium from 2012-2017 including spending Rs. 5000 for clean up but needs clarity on governance. BDT members helped with regional plan in 2016. Helped in installation of 4 bus stops. We have been following with panchayat to address stray animals & dogs problem but with not much success.
Several programs as Bal Bhavan, folk dance & Bhavgeet workshop etc have been on our calendar.