Team Herald
MARGAO: South Goa Collector on Monday approved the long pending forest right claims pertaining to villagers of Deusa-Deao, Quepem.
Out of 14 cases, 10 cases came up for hearing before the Collector. Earlier, four cases were approved. These 14 cases were pending for over four years now.
DyCM Chandrakant Babu Kavlekar said, “After persistent follow-up with Forest Department and local bodies, the misunderstanding created due to forest survey conducted using Google maps in 2005, was cleared between villagers and department. The villagers had raised their objections against the Google survey of the Forest Department where their homes and properties were not seen”.
“Since it was a satellite image, trees around the properties and small houses covered them. The villagers then submitted their birth certificates. This was a genuine case of community existence at the Deusa-Deao since I started representing Quepem constituency. This was the main clearance as cases were pending for so many years now. The Deputy Chief Minister praised efforts of Collector South for understanding these genuine cases. The Collector realised the importance and sensitivity of these cases and studied them in depth before delivering his verdict.
South Collector chaired the meeting that granted the clearance along with representatives of Forests and SDMs.
FRC cases of Quepem, Dharbandora, Canacona and Bethora in Ponda taluka were heard. Cases under Kumeri cultivation were also heard.
Remedios Rebello, president of Deao FRC said it was due to Deputy Chief Minister’s continuous follow-up with authorities that helped in hearing these cases on priority.
Caetani Fernandes, secretary of Deao FRC thanked the Deputy Chief Minister for his continuous support to the villagers.
