Team Herald
MARGAO: Loutolim villagers have sent a clear message to the government that they are capable enough to protect their village, and not to play with their sentiments anymore pertaining to ecology and environment.
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They have also appealed to the Goans to raise their voice so that future generations are safeguarded.
On the sidelines of the gram sabha meeting held by the Loutolim Village Panchayat on one point agenda; to oppose the proposed jetty at Rassaim, Herald met some of the villagers, wherein all of them said that numerous social and cultural attributes of Goan communities are born from their relationships with their rivers.
Xavier Fernandes said, “Rivers are used extensively by the local communities for sustenance and livelihood.”
“Most villages in Goa are dependent upon the rivers for the survival of the residents. The agricultural and fishing practices that have evolved over thousands of years are the reason for the ecological balance achieved in and along our rivers,” he stated.
He also said that the protection of their villages from storms is ensured by the local knowledge and expertise in the management of the river’s bundhs and river ecology.
Rock Fernandes, another villager said, “The destruction of rivers will definitely dictate new relationships with their rivers, thus wiping out the invaluable socio-cultural heritage of all mankind.”
“These rivers have been held in common by all the local communities since times immemorial. The local communities have always been the decision makers, the caretakers, as well as the beneficiaries of the rivers,” he added.
“One thing this government fails to understand is that many poor people depend upon the river for their survival and livelihood. The projects which the government intends to take forward will surely violate not just our rights, but also our economy, environment and society,” Constancio Fernandes said.
He appealed to the Goans to be united to fight for the cause.
Renha Fernandes questioned the government for not taking the locals into confidence before finalising the projects.
“The issue is not just of the proposed jetty at Rassai, Loutolim, but the concern is now for rural Goa. Villagers of peaceful rural villages are disturbed due to the project that is pushed by the government. Our villages are now under attack from our own government and government agencies,” alleged 80-year-old Pedro Mascarenhas.
