Cansaulim villagers unite to protect beach, submit plaints to authorities; site inspection held

Team Herald

MARGAO: In light of the allegations made by the locals of Cansaulim-Arossim-Cuelim (CAC) villages and the Cansaulim Villagers Action Committee (CVAC) in a complaint submitted to all the authorities concerned about alleged cutting of a sand dune in Arossim and damage to a creek, a large number of officials from various government departments carried out a joint site inspection.

The Mormugao Deputy Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), the Field Surveyor from the Directorate of Settlement & Land Records (DSLR), the Talathi and officials from the offices of the PWD, Forest, and Town & Country Planning (TCP) department were present.

The villagers and ward panch members of CAC panchayat were also present. Photographs and measurements of the site were taken and the officials stated that they will prepare their report and submit it to their higher ups and that action would be initiated if the allegations were verified.  The Talathi also informed the locals that the mamlatdar will forward his report to the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) too.

Besides the seizing of the JCB machine by the Verna Police on the day the alleged incident took place, no further action however has been initiated as yet.

In their complaint the locals have alleged that the cutting and flattening of the sand dune and filling and encroachment into a tidal creek is allegedly in violation of the CRZ Notification 2011, TCP Act, 1974 and other laws.

They further pointed out that the cutting of the sand dune more than 10% is a violation of hill cutting too.

They recalled that Goa Foundation and the concerned citizens of Arrosim had shown where all the sand dunes exist, even in the Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP).

They expressed anguish over the damage to the main creek and comunidade’s traditional nullah known as ‘Katream Handdi’.

They emphasised that the creek is an important resource, which gets filled with water on both sides. Besides, traditional fishing activity takes place there and in the past they had blocked attempts to divert the path of the creek.

The locals have also fought against the damage to sand dunes in the past too.

“We demand that an offence be registered under CRZ Notification 2011 by the GCZMA and the South Goa District Collector immediately,” said CVAC in their complaint letters.

“Register criminal offences and FIR against the persons involved in the offence under Environment Protection Act, 1986 and direct the persons involved to restore the sand dune/creek to its original condition,” they added further.

They further cited harm due to climate change as well.