AUGUSTO RODRIGUES
MAINA, SOCORRO: Over 30 citizens from Socorro and as far as Dhargalim, gathered outside the Village Panchayat on Monday to protest against destruction of a private forest to build a road.
Feeling the heat the intense heat from the people, Socorro Sarpanch Sonia Pednekar conducted a site inspection with the gathered protesters and promised to act.
“The Panchayat became aware of the issue after following a complaint from the people. After having seen the work going on here, I have decided to bring up this matter for discussion during the panchayat meeting scheduled for October 25,” Pednekar promised the agitated citizens.
The road in question, in between survey no 291 and 307, is part of thick vegetation.
“Soon after I was informed that a road was being built, I rushed to the spot and on September 12, 2024 informed the Forest Department and the Flying Squad,” contended complainant John Vaz.
“Both parties arrived around 2.30 in the afternoon and after having themselves discovered that three trees were cut and thrown in side compound, a Panchanama was done and work has stopped since,” added Vaz.
People from all walks of life and cutting across age groups, decided to gather for the protest, braving the weather, in their pursuit to save private forests.
“I cannot come right up to the spot with you all but will wait here till you all return,” a septuagenarian, who suffers from rheumatism, said, adding, “it’s worth an effort whilst being alive, to save whatever is left of our forests.”
“The complainant forgot, in his complainant, to mention the name of the person responsible and so it was not possible to take action. Now that he is providing us the details, we will act within the time frame,” assured Satish Gawas, secretary of Village Panchayat Socorro, who was part of the site inspection team along with ward member Subash Harlankar.
“How was I to know that they were building a road here,” questioned ward member Harlankar when confronted by some protesters. “Am I expected to know what is happening in the forest,” he asked.
Work on the road is being done discreetly on a land gazetted as Private Forest in 2022.
“I am ready to come here even at two in the morning to stop these illegalities happening. This gathering today has sent a clear message that we are ready to fight to save our forests,” promised retired Captain Jos D’silva.
The protestors kept grilling the secretary and the sarpanch on the way forward and despite assurances; they were not convinced of a quick change in luck.
“The panchayat’s assurances that a police complaint will be filed and the issue is going to be discussed in the next panchayat meeting, does not sound convincing,” said Clavy D’Souza, who came all the way from Colvale.
“No work will be allowed here anymore till we get to the truth of who started work here and with permission from whom. We will get this land restored,” promised secretary Gauns.
“People have now begun to realise the weight of their power. As long as we continue this way, our forests can sleep with their hope rested on us,” concluded Eurico Mascarenhas as people found their way back to habitation.