The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has just announced that the rights of tribal’s will be protected. I hope he means it, in letter and spirit. As far as Goa is concerned to let the Union Minister pave the way for scrapping of the Mopa airport in which the Dhangars are in danger of losing their land at Mopa by being cheated with a very low compensation being paid to them, for their fertile land.
The Union Minister will have to set a right procedure in Goa by protecting the interests of about 8,000 peasants of the Mopa plateau.
The Mopa plateau is home to the endangered pangolin as well as bison, wild boar, civet cats, tiger, peacock, macaque, and porcupine.
Let not this fertile plateau become the axe of the lumberman and let the poor peasants of Mopa continue their occupation of farming in the natural environs which are an extension of western Ghats and a United Nations conservation area which have more than 54,000 trees both front bearing such as cashew, mango, and jackfruit as well as others that replenish the oxygen of the entire area by the process of photosynthesis. Also bestowed with 46 natural crystal clear potable water springs. Mopa can definitely be shifted to any other arid location anywhere in the neighboring states of Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is the duty of the Minister of Environment and Forest to protect the eco-system of Mopa as well as serve the interests of the indigenous tribal’s of this exotic plateau.
The Union Minister of Environment and Forest and Climate Change may be reminded that more than half of Mopa residents have not accepted the meager compensation of Rs 300 per square meter being doled out by the Government.
The Mopa plateau has been the source of livelihood of residents of Varconda, Casarvanem, Chandel, Amberem, Uguem, and Mopa in Pernem taluka who stolidly oppose the airport project which will permanently destroy their livelihood, culture and lives merely to serve the vested interests of a few speculations who stand to benefit greatly. If this pristine plateau is turned unto an airport, prices of land around will skyrocket to Rs 50,000 to Rs 75,000 per square meter and the major losers will be the poor peasants who will lose their land and occupation forever.
The Union Minister may also be reminded that protection of this natural plateau becomes still more pertinent as the Government of Goa has imposed the Official Secrets Act in order to clandestinely fast-track this project against the will of the peasants of Mopa. It may be also reminded that the Goa Government has promulgated the Mopa Airport Development Authority Bill 2018 to stifle the opposition to this project. The above two measures are undemocratic and unacceptable to the tribal’s of the area.
The Minister may also be reminded that the cream of the jobs such as ground engineers, air traffic controllers, air-hostesses and pilots will definitely not benefit the peasants, let alone the Goans. Thus the Union Minister’s assertion to protect the tribal’s should be swift and decisive so that the Mopa plateau is retained as a rustic abode.
