MARGAO: The Citizens Committee of Loliem has taken objection to the recent decision of the Government of Goa of selecting part of the Bhagwati plateau in Loliem village as the permanent location for the proposed IIT campus at Goa.
The committee has hinted at an agitation if the government continues to move ahead with the IIT at Loliem.
The committee has submitted a detailed memorandum to various authorities including the Union HRD minister, enumerating consequences of having an IIT at the plateau.
Addressing a press conference at Margao, the committee raised strong objections to IIT in Loliem and called the plan as “totally wrong, arbitrary and disastrous, which will result in the destruction of this highly eco-sensitive plateau and loss of invaluable economic, environmental and social benefits derived from this plateau by the villagers.”
“The plateau is a source of fresh water for wards of Peddem, Agas, Maxem, Karoim, Iddar and other places around the land. There are numerous perennial springs that emanate from the Bhagwati plateau and support the lives of thousands,” Committee Convener Denis Lobo said.
“Already we have faced scarcity of water in Canacona, as the wells and water bodies have dried up in our villages. Now, any interference with the pristine plateau will destroy the recharge qualities and permeability of the plateau and source of drinking water of thousands of residents,” he added.
Dattaprasad Prabhugaonkar, a Loliem local, said, “The Bhagwati temple which lies on the plateau has great significance to the local communities. The plateau is sacred land which cannot be diverted from its traditional uses.”
“The religious procession of ‘toko’ of Betal God also uses traditional paths across the plateau, which are totally sacrosanct and cannot be interfered with in any circumstances” he added.
“We strongly oppose the proposed IIT at Bhagwati plateau and demand that the proposal be scrapped without any delays, failing which we will be forced to start an agitation to save our village, Nation and planet from same,” Denis added.
