PANJIM: St Estevam villagers stood their ground against the proposal put forward by Third Vision Foundation (TVF) – a non-profit organization, to acquire development rights of uncultivated Khazan fields, bunds and untendered sluice gates in the village.
The meeting called to create awareness about the proposal submitted at the office of Village Panchayat Jua, Communidade (Jua & Central Zone), the Mamlatdar (Tiswadi & Ponda) and Collector (Tiswadi) by Third Vision Foundation (TVF), sought to appraise the stakeholders (Villagers, Gaunkars & Field Owners) of the proposed developments and activities to be carried out by Third Vision Foundation.
Opposing the proposal tooth and nail, the villagers demanded that no land reclamation and cultivation of the land activities, maintenance of bunds and sluices gates be allowed to Third Vision Foundation employing any practices whatsoever.
Villagers also demanded that no collaboration be established with the non-profit organization to facilitate market linkages, agroforestry and value addition in the guise of farmer empowerment, capacity building or biodiversity conservation.
The meeting held at the Casa de Povo Hall was concluded that the intentions of ‘Third Vision Foundation’ were dubious and villagers unanimously decided to oppose and reject in totality, the proposed so-called sustainable revitalization plans submitted by the non-profit organization seeking to utilise uncultivated agricultural lands and bunds along with maintenance and operation of untendered sluice gates and bunds for development projects.
The meeting also decided to send copies of the objections or resolutions to the Village Panchayat (Jua), Communidade (Central Zone and Jua), Mamlatdar (Tiswadi and Ponda) and Collector (North) to reject the proposal made by ‘Third Vision Foundation’ and also to file objection during the next Gram Sabha.
