Norma Alvares is a Bombay High Court attorney who also campaigns and advocates on behalf of the public on environmental and social issues, particularly in her native Goa. She has relentlessly taken up causes relating to environmental degradation, animal welfare, and women’s rights during the past 20 years, advocating pro gratis in more than 100 public interest litigation cases. She played a key role in getting legal judgments outlawing bullfighting and the horrific practice of executing stray dogs in Goa.
Her contribution to the fight against environmental pollution and working for animal rights and women’s issues
1. In 1987, she launched the state’s first public interest lawsuit (PIL) to protect Goa’s dunes under the auspices of the Goa Foundation, which her husband founded.
2. She has participated in more than 100 PILs and has held the position of amicus curiae. (Amicus curiae is an advisor to the court who gives advices regarding laws in court). Her initiatives reportedly resulted in two positive court orders: one that barred a DuPont facility and another that limited mining operations in Goa.
3. She founded the Other India Book Store and Other India Press and serves as chairman of the People for Animals in Goa. Working with a dedicated team of animal lovers, Norma Alvares is setting up a strong foundation for animal rights and welfare.. She continues her fight against women’s atrocities and has advocated for enforcing equal and strong rights for women. Her works have been a substantial contribution towards solving women’s issues.
While there are still requests that are coming up in court, Norma and her husband Claude are limiting their legal labor after waging several battles in court. Their attention is now on education and promotion. They established the non-profit Green Goa Works Company in 2004 to focus solely on offering residential and property solutions for the treatment and conversion of trash into manure and sewage into fertilizer for vegetation. Goa Green Works was supported by several powerful individuals, including renowned textile artist Wendell Rodricks. Many Goan youths have been impacted by them, and they serve as an example for the next generations. Norma and her husband’s work have been stepping stones for many young environmentalists and activists in India.
