LOUTOLIM: Worry has gripped the residents of Loutolim, the village popularly known as “nature lovers’ paradise” for its lush paddy fields. The villagers’ only cause of concern is the proposed jetty at Rassaim, besides another at Vanxem. But pushed to the corner, the people are not ready to give up without a fight. A spontaneous people’s movement is building up, led by the fiery young sarpanch Joana Fernandes, her team, and the people of the village.
Herald on a ground visit to tap the mood of the people post the government announcing the construction of a jetty there, clearly as a support system for coal transportation observed that the villagers are living in fear of losing their peace and serenity of the village if the proposed jetty comes up in the village.
Loutolim is a perfect example of age-old village life, and the locals want to protect it for posterity. They have demanded that the concerned authority scrap the proposed jetty project in the village.
Several villagers, including an 85-year-old senior citizen, pleaded not to go ahead with the proposed jetty. They have raised apprehensions that it will not only cause damage to the river but will destroy several agricultural fields, khazans, and fishing activities, which in turn will deprive the poor of their livelihood.
According to the Captain of Ports, the proposed jetty will be 30 metres in length. These villagers feel will not only damage the river but will also affect the livelihood of several villagers beyond imagination.
Carolin Miranda, who is almost 90, questioned the authorities as to why are they trying to impose the project on the locals by destroying their livelihood.
“These concerned authorities have no common sense. Have they ever given a thought to the ill effects the project will have on the locals? Our forefathers fought to protect the ecology and environment so that the future generations are safeguarded,” she said.
Magdalena Colaco, another resident said her mother-in-law used to cultivate paddy fields in the village, and later she and her family members continued with the tradition.
“Our whole family is dependent on agriculture, if the proposed jetty is built, it will affect us badly”, she expressed fear of losing her livelihood.
Raising apprehensions, the women fish vendors said, “There are several locals who are fully dependent on the fishing activity. We will be deprived of our livelihood once the jetty comes up.”
