30 Jan 2024  |   06:38am IST

LEGISLATION TO GIVE BACK SURFACE RIGHTS TO VILLAGERS, ONLY SOLUTION TO END MINING LEASE IMPASSE

Real solutions have taken a backseat amidst clamour surrounding the mining issue of Bicholim villages; Shirgao villagers not totally against mining if their homes and temple are not in the mining lease area

PRATIK PARAB

SHIRGAO: Amidst the clamour surrounding restarting of mining in the villages of Bicholim, senior villagers of Shirgao have called on the Government of Goa to legislate and get back the land ownership of villagers and Comunidades. Villagers of Shirgao have complained that personal interests are ruining the common interests of the people from the mining belt.

The fourth round of the Herald on Ground campaign on the mining issue was in Shirgao village. Though Shirgao and Mulgao village face similar challenges, the villagers are more considerate and don’t want a complete stoppage of mining.

O Heraldo met Vishwambar Gaonkar a veteran villager who said that legislation bringing back the ownership of all the mining land is and should be 

a priority. 

“We consider ourselves as the custodians of the land. The fact is that no court is above laws and rules of the land. The only and the best solution to this is that the government legislates a rule that will supercede and remove the ownership of the leaseholders and give it back to the original owners that are people and Comunidade,” he said. 

“I have only one opinion, whatever decision is taken it has to be a common decision taken in the larger interest of people. I am a truck owner myself but if mining is not in the best interest of the village I will oppose it,” Vishwambhar added. 

They said the temple and the village which has over 350 houses should be removed from the mining lease area but this time permanently. Dilip Palni from Shirgao who has his house just meters away from the temple, said, “Though there has been no major direct and substantial benefit from mining to the villagers, mining did bring some benefits to the locals. We just want our temple and houses out of the lease area,” he said. 

Currently, there are 350 houses, Goddess Lairai and several other small and big temples in Shirgao in addition to two schools running in full strength. 

Damodar Gaonkar said, “The removal of temples from the lease area is paramount.” 

Villagers confidentially said that self-interests have completely diverted the interests of Shirgao which has also impacted the unified people’s movement.