TUESDAY, MAY 14, 2024
Team Herald
QUEPEM: The gram sabha of Caurem-Pirla Village Panchayat on Sunday unanimously resolved to oppose any diversion of forest land at Survey Number 19 of Caurem village for mining or any other industrial purpose considering its ecological, cultural, religious importance and livelihood of the Scheduled Tribes (ST) and other traditional dwellers of the village.
The villagers stated that the ST communities and traditional dwellers have filed their claims under Forest Rights Act, 2006, on the said land and are enjoying rights as enshrined under Sub-Section 1 of Section 3 of the Forest Rights Act, 2006. The resolution was proposed by Surendra Velip and Sameer Gaonkar seconded it.
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai, who was also present for the meeting supported the gram sabha members in opposing the proposed diversion of forest land.
The gram sabha members strongly opposed the proposed forest diversion of 70.20 hectares for the mining lease -- Zamblidadga Iron and Manganese Ore Mine, at Survey No 19/0 of Caurem village, whose public hearing is scheduled at Maina, on April 11.
The Cauvren tribal villagers of Caurem, who are mostly farmers and forest dwellers have their cultivation on the mountain of Survey No 19/0 and collect minor forest produce from the said forest land. The members further raised their concern over the seven perennial springs that originates from the bottom of this mountain.
The members also brought to the notice of the gram sabha through a report prepared by the elderly villagers, committee’s decision of Forest Rights Committee and Rule 4 (1) (e) committee constituted under Forest Rights Act and Rules, that there are 149 individual claims and one ‘Community forest resource and rights claim’ pending for settlement.
The report also highlighted the ecological, cultural and religious importance of this mountain towards the existence of Caurem village. The gram sabha then discussed the restriction imposed by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for the diversion of forest land where there are such religious and forest rights claims.
