Team Herald
MARGAO: Nationalisation of rivers and plans to have a coal hub in Goa were very strongly opposed at all three regular gram sabhas held in Salcete on Sunday at Seraulim, Assolna and Velim.
The gram sabha of Loliem-Polem in Canacona also joined the chores against nationalisation of Goan Rivers and coal handling at the Mormugao Port Trust.
Villagers at all the three gram sabhas demanded dropping of the plans for coal handling, storage and transportation in Goa, on grounds that it would cause air pollution that could cause cancer to the people living around the areas where this activity would be done.
Besides, the destruction of habitat for infrastructure to handle of coal and the proposed double tracking of railway lines was also objected to. Above all, this destruction of public land and loss to public interest to serve private sector involved in coal business was objected to and people were also cautioned about the change in environment that would result.
The nationalisation of six rivers in Goa was also objected to at the three gram sabhas on grounds that it was an infringement of the sovereign rights of the locals over the rivers. It was pointed out that the riverine system has been assiduously created by ancestors over a period of time and cannot be allowed to be destroyed and exploited by some private interests now.
Moreover, it was pointed out that many people depend on the rivers for their sustenance whether it is the fishing community or the farmers and people expressed their resentment to using the rivers for bulk cargo transportation.
Hence, it was demanded that the rivers Zuari, Mandovi, Sal, Chapora, Mapusa and Cumbharjua be removed from the Schedule attached to the National Waterways Act.
At Seraulim some other village matters were discussed while at Velim the financial irregularities committed by the previous body were discussed at length and it was resolved that public funds would not be utilised to carry out personal works as done earlier.
At Assolna the villagers demanded better security arrangements at the Assolna Cavelossim bridge as many youngsters gather there in the evening. While police would be asked to intensify patrolling there, it was also suggested to install CCTV cameras there and the market place for security reasons.
