Team Herald
PONDA: Voicing its opposition to the project proposed at Betki-Borim Plateau, the Borim gram sabha on Sunday decided to challenge in court the permission granted by the panchayat secretary to the said project.
Borim Sarpanch Jyothi Naik said, “The panchayat has not given any permission to said project on Betki Plateau considering demand from the locals. However, the project proponent petitioned the Panchayat Director.”
“The Panchayat Secretary has granted permission after Director of Panchayat asked to decide on application filed by applicant. The panchas have no idea when and how the permission was granted,” Naik said.
The locals said Betki Plateau is an important source of water as it provides drinking water to locals. It is eco-sensitive and also provides shelter to wild animals and hence construction activities should not be permitted. Similarly, the hills and forests at Betki are shelter to wild animals such as leopard and wild boar.
“Further if hills are cut then our wells will run dry on which we depend for water. The major project is coming up in area admeasuring around 34,000 square metres. We don’t want any project by cutting the hills as we and wild animals depend on these hills,” they said.
“These hills, which are rich source of water accumulation, recharge the drinking water wells in our houses located downside the Betki hills and the bagayats too depend on them. We don’t want any religious project on this plateau,” they said.
The gram sabha also demanded a solution to garbage issue and also opposed the dumping of garbage near the playground.
The locals demanded that the panchayat make efforts to taking possession of Kalmamal ground from the Comunidade following a proper sale deed. The locals called for solving issues pertaining to water supply and streetlights at Shirshirem.
The locals also demanded a solution to the crematorium issue.
