QUEPEM: Xeldem locals rushed to the village lake after their received information that mud was being dumped into the lake for construction of a high tension tower. This was despite the fact that the Xeldem Lake has been classified as a wet land.
Heavy machinery was being used to dump mud in the lake. Locals immediately called the flying squad and demanded that inspection of Xeldem Lake be done.
The flying squad reached the spot and inspected the mud filling site along with locals. Those on site revealed that there was a high tension line tower in the lake.
Aditya Desai said, at present the lake has been filled with mud and other construction materials. “We had asked the flying squad to seize the material, however the flying squad has failed to do so, Desai said. He added that government machinery itself is misusing the power and forcing the projects on the villagers. The government has failed to act on its own orders of protecting wetland, this is a complete failure of administration. The government has completely ignored the NGT order,” Aditya Dessai said.
“The lake has been classified as wet land, there is an existing locality nearby. The high tension towers should be moved to a different location,” Prashant Dessai said.
Prashant Gauns Desai said Curchorem is running short on land, so now the projects are being moved to neighbouring Xeldem and Assolda villages. This is causing ecological and socio economic loss to the villagers. It will have long term impact on the existing ecological system
Other people present during site inspection Vishal Dessai, Rohan Naik and Polly Deniz.
