FRIDAY, APRIL 19, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: A group of villagers from Camurlim marched into their local panchayat office on Tuesday and called for the ongoing construction of a road for a housing project to be halted immediately, alleging that forest land has been illegally converted into a settlement zone for the said project.
Social activists Abhijit Prabhudessai and Diana Tavares who led the delegation alleged that the property in question is owned by a political leader from Salcete, who has misused his power to convert the land.
The villagers claim that they are in possession of documents wherein the said property is marked as dense forests. However, locals said the panchayat is helpless as the developers of the project have submitted legally-sound documents to obtain the necessary permissions.
“It has been revealed that the said property was purchased by one of the political leaders of Salcete and he is involved in developing that area, which is forest land as per the documents of the government itself. The said politician has converted the land by misusing government machinery,” alleged Prabhudesai.
In response, Camurlim Sarpanch Basilio Fernandes asked the villagers to file a complaint, so they can proceed with appropriate action.
“We have with us the documents proving that this land is forest area. We have been fighting to protect the forest land for the past 15 years. However, we have noticed again that work to construct a road that leads into the forested area, has commenced at the site. We want the panchayat to issue a stop work order,” said local man Agostinho.
The Sarpanch said that the panchayat had issued a NOC for the said work upon the submission of legal
documents by the concerned party.
“To back their claims, we have asked the villagers to produce the documents stating that the said property comes under forest area. Then, the panchayat will issue a stop-work order immediately,” assured Fernandes.
