Team Herald
SANGUEM: The villagers from Sanguem particularly those residing in the interiors of the taluka including Wadem Curdi, Netravali, Bhati, Villian and Rivona have strongly opposed the inclusion of these villages in eco-sensitive zone.
At a largely attended meeting held at Wadem Curdi under the banner of Sanguem Vikas Manch (SVM), while demanding immediate withdrawal of notification declaring remote villages in Sanguem taluka, the gathering threatened to lead a mass agitation if the Government fails to address the issue and withdraw the notification by end of December 2022.
Addressing the gathering, President of SVM Adv Anand Gaonkar briefed the locals over the problems the villagers would have to face once the notification comes into force. “In BJP led states of Gujarat and Karnataka, the people have strongly opposed the draconian notification of declaration of remote villages as eco-sensitive zones. The situation in Goa is no different. The Government has given no objection for inclusion of as many as 59 villages in eco sensitive zone without considering the say of the people who are going to be affected due to the notification. This is highly absurd,” claimed Gaonkar.
Speaking further, Gaonkar highlighted the assurance given by the Government in the year 1999 when Netravali Wild Life Sanctuary was declared. He informed that the government had assured that the declaration of Netravali Wild Life Sanctuary will have no effect on the common man and the villagers residing within the precincts of the Wild Life Sanctuary.
“However, the villagers are now facing the brunt of the declaration of Wild Life Sanctuary. In villages of Tudov and Nunem, the land owned by the villagers is now claimed by the Forest Department. Moreover, the Forest Department does not permit any development works in the village without their NOC. This not only hampers the development aspect of the village but the villagers are left handicapped in undertaking any works in their properties,” Gaonkar stated.
Gaonkar further added that with the declaration of eco-sensitive zone, the situation will only aggravate and the villagers will not be able to undertake any development activities in their own properties without the permission of the Forest Department. “The traditional business activities of the villagers and the tribal people will be severely affected and the lives of the villagers living in the hinterland areas will be made difficult,” added Gaonkar while further informing that if the notification is not withdrawn by end of December 2022, the villagers will aggravate their agitation which will not only be limited to Sanguem taluka but will spread in other talukas which are going to affect due to the notification.
In Sanguem taluka, the villages which are set to be affected due to the notification includes Uguem, Curdi, Selaulim, Naiquinim, Dongor, Digueli, Nunem, Tudov, Verlem, Potrem, Portem, Bhati, Shegunem, Villian, Rivona, Colomb and Dongorlim.
Zilla Panchayat member Suresh Kepekar while assuring his support to the villagers in getting the notification withdrawn urged the government to withdraw the notifications given the hard effects it will have on the livelihood of the people living in the hinterland and hilly areas of Sanguem Taluka.
