MARGAO: The Raia gram sabha on Sunday vehemently objected to declaring two lakes in the village namely, Bebki and Bachbhatt as wetlands.
While disclosing that the draft notification was issued following a report by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Sarpanch Peter Quadros said the panchayat was not even consulted in the matter.
Former sarpanch Savio Gomes, who led the people in opposing this draft notification, lamented that the notification was issued without consulting the locals and said it had to be objected to.
It was pointed out that a lot of people, who had either constructed their houses or purchased plots to construct houses in areas demarcated as Buffer Zone for the wetlands, would be adversely affected and hence there was objection.
The villagers argued that their hard-earned money invested in purchasing the plots would go down the drain if they are not permitted to construct houses in future once the lakes are declared as wetland.
It would be pertinent to point out that vide notification dated 28th September 2023, the government had proposed to declare nine lakes as wetlands of which two are in Raia. The last date to submit suggestions or objections to this notification was November 25, 2023.
“We have sought an extension of 15 days from the Goa State Wetland Authority and as we explained that this matter would be discussed at the gram sabha today, we were granted the extension,” the sarpanch said.
Interestingly, panch member and chairman of the Raia Biodiversity Management Committee Xavier Fernandes was conspicuous by his absence at the gram sabha.
“I knew the agenda and as I am committed to protecting and preserving the environment, I thought it best not to be a party to this decision,” he said while pointing out that the National Green Tribunal is monitoring the matter pertaining to wetlands in Goa.
Incidentally Section 10 1(v) of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act empowers the Sarpanch not to allow discussion on any matter that is sub-judice and since this matter is being monitored by the NGT, he implied that it was sub-judice.
Meanwhile, the gram sabha members also agreed with the panchayat’s proposal to engage a private contractor to collect garbage from households on a daily basis.
The Sarpanch pointed out that the panchayat had inspected the Manora area of the village where residents of a housing colony were just dumping their garbage resulting in a total mess as dogs were littering it all over the place.
He also said the panchayat will invite tenders to collect and dispose of the garbage and added that the Garbage Management Committee and the panchayat will take a call on this which the villagers agreed to.