Team Herald
VASCO: A meeting at Quelossim on Sunday strongly objected to the proposed Mini India Park on khazan land, with an expert claiming that any disturbance on the land would destroy a number of indigenous fish species and other aquatic life.
The meeting was convened to create awareness among the villagers of the consequences of building Mini India Park on khazan lands.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Parish Priest Fr Lauzerio Godinho, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, NIO scientist Dr Baban Ingole, Sarpanch Maria, Deputy Sarpanch and four panch members.
At the meeting, the locals demanded that the panchayat initiate action against Mini India projects and also asked the MLA Saldhana to raise issue in the Assembly.
In his address, Fr Godinho explained that the people in the village are blessed with Kesarval spring, River Zuari and unique khazan lands. “It is the duty of every villager to protect and preserve it for future generations,” he said.
Explaining the importance of the sluice gates (manas) of khazan lands, Dr Baban Ingole said that big fish and various indigenous species enter the khazan land for breeding through the sluice gates. “If any obstacles come on their way, then, the habitat of various types of fish and other aquatic life will be destroyed. This is the reason why we must protect these places,” Dr Ingole added.
Saldanha mentioned that there are many families in the village for whom fishing is livelihood. “The proposed project Mini India Park is in the wetland/khazan land which is ‘No Development Zone’. Therefore, there is no question of any project coming on the khazan land,” she said.
She also cautioned the villagers not fall prey to the proponents of false promises. She said that she is with the villagers in their fight against this project.
Lopinho Xavier said that though the villagers have filed complaints against the illegally filling of khazan land, the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority has not restored the land till date. Therefore, villagers demanded that the local authority (panchayat) must initiate legal action against the project proponent.
Xavier further demanded that the MLA must raise the issue in the forthcoming assembly session.
