ASSAGAO: Following a O Heraldo report on the Sodiem- Siolim Biodiversity Management Committee strongly condemning the Water Resources department over the destruction of fields in the village due to the Tillari canal works , the dredging work has been finally taken up by the Water Resources Department (WRD) but much to the annoyance of the locals who claim that it is an exercise in futility.
Locals who have been giving vent to their anger against the WRD for haphazard Tillari works were in for a shock when they saw machinery being employed to do dredging of the fields. Locals peeved against this action wondered what purpose would this dredging work serve now when monsoons are just round the corner.
“ This is exactly how these government departments are functioning. No planning, no proper execution of works. It is true that our fields have been destroyed but is this the right time to do dredging? Tomorrow in the rains, the fields will get flooded and everything will get filled up. Such works should be taken up much before the monsoons,” informed environmentalist and farmer Fatima Fernandes from Siolim.
Another local Sabina D’Souza was also quite critical of this action and questioned the timing of dredging. “It is waste of money and a mere eyewash. There is no seriousness in this action. Work done in a haste is just waste of public money,” she informed.
Another farmer Alex Fernandes from Marna stated that the authorities should have commenced the work in winter and not in June. “You cannot do these things at the last minute because you are under pressure. Farmers are the backbone of the village and they should be taken into confidence before undertaking such work. Better counsel should prevail,” stated Alex.
Sodiem Siolim Biodiviserty Chairperson Peter De Souza hit out at the WRD and charged that the officials have woken from slumber after three decades. “This is not the time to do the dredging work. It should have been done somewhere in November or December. The cure will be worse than the disease. Whatever work is being done will be washed away with the rains,” De Souza opined and added that things are being done without the application of mind.
“The WRD is running around at the last minute as the villagers have threatened to knock at the doors of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for the wanton destruction of fields and forests,” charged De Souza.
Another BMC member Nilesh Morajkar stated that though the intentions are good, the timing is wrong. The rains are round the corner and things will go back to square one. The Sodiem and Marna panchayats should sit across the table with the WRD and sort out this vexatious issue.
“ Desiliting, de-weeding and cleaning of the rice bowl of Siolim should be done from November,” opined Nilesh.
It was felt by the locals that such works should be taken up immediately after monsoons and not just before monsoons.
Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo however stated that she would take up an appointment with the WRD minister and sort out the long standing issue of the farmers.
