The illegal filling of low-lying areas in Nagoa is a cause of concern for the locals as it has a direct impact on nature. Many paddy fields are being illegally filled with or without the blessings of elected representatives. Nobody seems bothered about the destruction of nature and the problems it will cause for the next generation. The low-lying areas or paddy fields that our forefathers have preserved for ages are being destroyed for personal gains. The elected representatives who should have been the first to safeguard these lands have shown no interest in doing so.
Surprisingly, non-Goans who have made Goa their second home have voiced concern over the same. They questioned the motives of Goans involved in illegally filling up paddy fields for residential or commercial purposes and appealed to them to stop converting land into concrete jungles and start saving it for future generations.
“Goans have a problem if non-Goans purchase land sold by Goans themselves, and they label us ‘bhailes’, etc even though we bought the land for huge amounts. We are shocked at how Goans are selling or converting their agricultural lands for commercial purposes in connivance with elected representatives, even at the grassroot level. By converting paddy fields, what are Goans trying to do? The earlier generation preserved paddy fields or low-lying areas for the betterment of the village, but what is the present generation doing? Goa is safe today only because of such areas, which take care of rainwater. If the trend of filling land continues, Goa’s future is doomed,” said Meenakshi (name changed) a non-Goan.
“We have many NGOs, but when it comes to saving fields or low-lying areas, nobody comes forward. We are just tolerating the destruction of nature. Elected representatives and government authorities have failed to act with a firm hand and preserve land for the generations yet to be born. We are not thinking of the next generation but only of us and our short-term gains. We need to change our mindset before it is too late,” said local Willy Fernandes.
“The government needs to amend the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act under Section 17A i.e. filling of low-lying areas should not only be a cognizable offence, but it should result in the arrest of the persons involved in filling up paddy fields. The court can then decide on granting bail, etc. Government authorities like the Deputy Collector, Mamlatdar, TCP and Goa police should also act instead of merely passing the buck to one and another,” said Calangute MLA Michael Lobo.
He continued, “The people of Goa should also understand that our State is safe and free from flooding only because of our low-lying areas or paddy fields. The paddy fields, nullahs, rivulets, etc. collectively take care of the rainwater. Tomorrow if all paddy fields or low-lying areas are filled, blocking the rainwater from reaching nullahs or rivulets, it will result in flooding of the village. The low-lying areas are lifeline of Goa and need to be preserved.”
