Team Herald
PORVORIM: The State government on Friday told the Goa Legislative Assembly that it is sensitive towards protecting the interest of the tribal community, who despite being eligible, are facing hurdles to get their ownership of their cultivated land under the Forest Rights Act (FRC).
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“The tribal community, Other traditional Forest Dwellers & others of Sanguem, Quepem, Canacona, Dharbandora and Sattari talukas about their future with regards to their Homes/Properties/Cultivable land/Cattle as State is fully committed to protect the interest of the said communities and forest wealth of the state by implementing the relevant provisions for settling the rights of people as per the provisions of Wildlife Act, 1972 while notified the Wildlife Sanctuary/National Parks in Goa,” said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant in a written reply to a Caling Attention Motion tabled by Sanguem MLA Prasad Gaonkar.
On behalf of the community from the respective areas he apprehended their future alleging frequent changes and inconsistency in govt policy decisions and lethargic approach to FRC under Forest Right Act 2006, Notifications of WLS & Settlement of Rights under Wildlife Protection Act.
Canacona BJP MLA Isidore Fernandes, supporting the motion, alleged that the forest team in his constituency was demarcating the areas without documentary proof or consent from the original owners, who hail from the tribal community.
“The forest claims they hold the right over the areas but on being asked, they claim to have no proof. People, on the other hand, have the documents to prove their ownership,” he said. The MLA also sought appointing a nodal officer to monitor the activities of the respective Mamlatdar regarding handling of the issue. He also alleged that the Forest Rights Committee, examining the files pertaining to Canacona, has not been functioning, leading to a huge backlog of cases.
Several people have applied for claims across various places in the State even as the deadline imposed by the Supreme Court approaches closer. The SC is hearing the matter across a few States. CM Sawant assured the House that the government will seek an extension from the Apex Court. “We are here to settle the rights claimed by the people… If there is an issue of FRC, then we will have to reconstitute,” he added.
