Haphazard construction of the National Highway 66 and the blocking and narrowing of the natural waterways has damaged Goa’s green cover and one such classic example is fields located at Guirim and Sangolda, which are presently inundated following heavy rainfall for the past two weeks.
The farmers are facing serious obstacles in carrying out their farming activities as there is no way to release excess rainwater. The water has not receded and in some fields even damaged the just planted paddy crops.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Construction work of a sewerage treatment plant (STP) here by the government has also contributed significantly to the misery of farmers.
Besides, there is rampant filling of fields and construction in low lying areas in both these villagers and with the authorities turning a Nelson’s Eye to the illegalities it has also contributed significantly to flooding as the encroachers have not even spared the natural waterways.
The Honourable High Court of Bombay at Goa had recently directed that all the illegalities in Comunidade fields be demolished and the land be restored to its original. The Deputy Collector was also asked for a compliance report. In spite of the directives issued to authorities, people here continue to brazenly construct in fields and worse still the Electricity Department issues NOCs for power connections to the violators to conduct business in fields. The result is, there are more workshops, shops, houses, rooms on rent and parlours flourishing in fields with the tacit blessings of the authorities.
The Honourable High Court is our only solace and I pray that one day little that is left of green Goa is saved for posterity with its intervention. The authorities who abet these illegalities should also be pulled up.
Locals too should raise their voice and fight the high and mighty and stop the construction projects that pose a threat to the livelihood of the people particularly those who are only dependent on farming for their livelihood. The National Highways Authority of India should also clear the natural waterways and solve the problems of farmers.
