By Lissy Maruthanakuzhy

Panaji: Father Bolmax Fidelis Pereira, the parish priest of Sr Xavier Church in Goa’s Chicalim, is creating waves in the western Indian state with his youth group engaged in environmental protection and revival of agriculture.

The priest spoke to Sister Lissy Maruthanakuzhy of Matters India about the Chicalim Youth Farmers’ Club and its activities

Matters India: How did you initiate youth into farming?

Fr Bolmax: I believe if you don’t have youth force the church is empty and lacks something. Youth are not just the future of Goa, but they are also the NOW as the future belongs to them. Our prime minister repeatedly says about ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self reliance). I have been thinking about ‘Atmanirbhar and Revival of Agriculture’ and felt it was good to involve youth in the fields. The lockdown provided a good opportunity. The migrant laborers had returned to their native places leaving Goa and the cultivation undone. Our youth came forward to support the farmers to cultivate paddy and later to help harvesting. For the youth, the emerging farmers, it was a learning process and for the regular farmers it was a much needed support. Some youth were from farming families.

Could you share about the ‘Chicalim Youth Farmers’ Club?’

The club has about 70 members aged between 15 to 35 and of mixed religions. The farmers were happy about our reaching out to them in time of need. When we approached the land owners to cultivate their lands lying fallow for many years, they supported our plan to revive the fields, if the youth were ready to work with them. Thus, the ‘Chicalim Youth Farmers’ Club’ came into being.

What are your future plans>

The primary goal is the revival of fallow lands in Chicalim and the secondary goal is to present agriculture as viable economic industry. The land is fertile and so by itself holds a great scope for farming and agricultural activities. The pandemic has taught us to be self-sufficient as far as agricultural products are concerned. Our youth is willing to get back to agriculture, once the backbone of our Goan economy. This coupled with government schemes for an agriculture boost, surely promises a bright future for agricultural activities in Goa.

Let us get back to our roots-that is where our identity and security lies. Let us extract a lot of gold in our fields and backyards. Our youth will get academically sound and agriculturally skilled. Then they need not leave their state for greener pastures anymore, as it is here itself. Let us uphold the dignity of the farmers. It is they who produce to feed our stomachs.

How are the youth connected to the save Mollem?

While discussing about the paddy cultivation our youth realized that the pollination in paddy takes place through the wind. And if the wind carries coal dust it will hinder the pollination and the cultivation may not yield the expected results. When the youth understood that entire Goa is at threat due to coal, they appealed to the government to call off three linear projects through Mollem forests. They wanted to alert the Indian president speak about this while he visited Goa on December 19, 2020, our Liberation Day. We were not granted permission to speak to him at the opening of the 60th Goa Liberation Day program, Instead, our youth were stopped at the bus-stand and their bus was illegally detained. Some were picked up from the Church Square by the police, though we had no intention to protest.

Could you explain the “Save Mollem” agitation?

The three linear projects, hurriedly approved during the pandemic by the Central Government in connivance with the state government, are detrimental to the ecology of Goa: Laying of a 400 KV transmission line upto the village of Xeldem; doubling of South Western Railway line from Tinsighst to Vasco, passing through Dudhsagar Castle Rock to Kulem and stretch of South western railway; four laning of existing NH4A in Anmod-Mollem Region.

These projects will adversely affect the rich biodiversity and wildlife of Mollem National Park and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary. It will also affect Goa’s waterways. Under Sugarman project, the doubling of railway lines is set up for coal transport from Goa’s Mormugoa Port to Karnataka. The uncovered coal beds at the port and the transportation through rail, road and waterways will bring about a lot of pollution. Over 80,000 trees are marked out for felling for the setting up of these 3 linear projects which will severely affect the wildlife and greenery of Goa.

How did you become a social activist? Tell us something about you.

I was born at Quepem village, and have 5 siblings. My mother was my inspiration to become a priest. I was ordained a priest in 2004 for the Archdiocese of Goa. My interest in environment was inspired by my parents who were farmers. It guided me to do Masters in Ecology and Environment from Sikkim-Manipal University. And also to complete my doctorate in Botany from Jodhpur National University in 2017. My research involved studying the wetlands in Goa. I am currently an assistant professor of Botany at St. Joseph Vaz Science College, Cortalim.