Goa Foundation

Comprising of laywers and environmental activists, the Goa Foundation is involved in filing public interest litigations against those who have been involved in pushing tourism to an extent that its ill-effects are becoming quite apparent. The foundation is well known for its actions to protect Goa's beaches from encroachment by the five star lobby as well as its successful action against those who were draining the river basins of south Goa of all its sand which was being used for construction purposes.

While the foundation has targeted high publicity and rich groups like the Leela Hotels, Taj Group and Cidade Goa for violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone, it has also brought the hundreds of smaller violators within its ambit. Along with the Panjim Movement for Civic Action (PMCA), the Foundation successfully moved Court to seek a ban on all food festivals being organised on beaches. This action forced the government of Goa to ban all food festivals along the coast.

Besides its research and legal work, the foundation also organizes public education workshops on the state of Goa's environment, environmental law in the country and on its campaign against the use of plastic bottles and carry bags. Lately it has also launched a project to promote the setting up of vermiculture pits in food related establishments including hotels, restaurants and residential societies. One of the most significant achievements of the foundation has been its role in instituting the clause pertaining to constructions along water bodies in the country's environment protection act. This has given legal strength to environmental activists, not only in Goa but all over the country, to fight coastal and water body encroachments by real estate developers.

Details

Min/Max # of Volunteers: 2 maximum

Length of Project: 6 to 12 months

Work at the foundation could involve research on environmental degradation, preparing and editing of legal briefs, publicity campaigns pertaining to environmental education and the harms of using plastic bottles and bags, soliciting orders for vermiculture pits and working on building them.

Location: Goa, India

Room and Board: ( )

Financial requirements for the volunteer: Staying and food in Goa can be of a wide variety as far as expenditure is concerned. There is great fish in Goa but it is on the expensive side due to the demand from tourists. Factor for a monthly expenditure, including stay and food, of Rs 6000 to 8000 initially. After volunteers have been in Goa for a month they can work out cheaper options with the help of the foundation employees and other local contacts.

Specific requirements: Volunteers should have a high degree of commitment to environmental issues and should, in fact lean towards environmental activism. A bent towards research work and editing abilities could be added advantages.

Website: www.goacom.com/goafoundation/

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