Team Herald
MARGAO: The Tenants Associations of Deorabhatt Tamxel and Socolfondem Condalem of Loutolim on Saturday demand that the high tide line should be restricted to the “bunds” and sluice gates as per the law stated in the report of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM).
The NCSCM report (para 5.1, g, last line), says that the tidal barrages/lock and “bunds” constructed are also taken as limit of tidal influence in the scientific studies by Dr Simon D’Souza and even the CRZ Notification 2011 itself.
The Association said that their ancestors have created the rivers, “bunds”, khazan lands, water bodies and sluice gates over 2000 years ago, much before the advent of the government or its laws. The massive efforts of our ancestors have created a World Heritage Site of incomparable economic importance, which is unparalleled anywhere in the world.
“Standing against us are various short-term profiteers, in collusion with NCSCM, the government and a few environmentalists, who are insisting on inclusion of the khazan lands within the HTL, displaying their bias against the people and insensitivity towards nature,” alleged the tenants of the areas of Loutolim.
The Association has reiterated their demand that the HTL be restricted to the “bunds” and the sluice gates to protect our rights over the khazan lands, livelihood of farmers, houses of local communities and fisher folks’ rights over the water bodies.
