CANACONA: The locals of Loliem-Polem have expressed anger over the presence two bore wells on the Madditolop plateau despite the panchayat passing resolution against allowing permission to drill bore wells in the area.
Locals allege that the land sharks from Delhi and Mumbai, who have purchased huge tracts of land in the area, have denied the villagers free access to the beaches between Mashem and Polem which has created tension amongst the locals and the security personnel employed by these property owners.
There are over six popular fishing spots between Mashem and Polem on the coast of the Arabian Sea, of which the most famous include Vaturem, Mannem, Shendrem, Makadshem and Kupam.
The locals from Loliem-Polem and surrounding areas of Canacona have been going for overnight fishing trips (Vosthi) to these beaches for many years, where fish and fresh water were available in abundance throughout the year.
The villagers alleged that after these land sharks in collusion with local agents purchased vast tracts of land on the plateau, the area has been fenced and private security personnel have been stationed, who deny access to the locals, who still want to carry on with age-old fishing hobby in the area.
There have been instances wherein arguments have resulted in clashes between the locals and the security personnel over the right to access the beaches, which are government property via the traditional footpaths.
Despite Loliem-Polem panchayat passing a resolution not to allow drilling and drawing of groundwater on this plateau, the locals allege that there are at least two bore wells, which have caused the wells in low-lying areas and the springs to run dry.
Speaking to Herald, Elvis Fernandes, a former deputy sarpanch of Loliem-Polem said, “The village panchayat had passed a resolution not to allow drilling of bore wells in the panchayat jurisdiction. But there are at least two illegal bore wells in a property on the Dapot plateau.”
“I have documentary evidence from Water Resources Department (WRD) regarding this. No action has been taken by the panchayat or the WRD,” lamented Fernandes, who is the president of Congress party’s Canacona block.
Sources in WRD office at Margao, stated that they will check if the bore wells are registered or not and if not registered they will issue a show cause notice accordingly.
However, when quizzed on these twin issues, Loliem-Polem Sarpanch Ajay Lolienkar said, “Till now the panchayat has not received any complaints on the presence of illegal bore wells and blockage of free access to the beaches in the panchayat jurisdiction, and added that if there is a complaint then action will be taken as per the law.
