PANAJI
Escalating their agitation over alleged inaction by authorities to protect the notified wetland, St Cruz villagers have threatened to launch a hunger strike if the government fails to notify the influence zone of Bondvol lake within a week.
The villagers who gathered at Azad Maidan in Panaji on Monday further alleged that the authorities ignored repeated representations seeking immediate notification of the zone of influence around the lake.
They alleged that permissions for construction are being granted beyond 50 metres from the wetland, in violation of the spirit of the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, despite the High Court recommending an influence zone of 200 metres around Bondvol lake.
The protesters also stated that while there are clear national guidelines for wetland conservation, these are being misinterpreted at the State level, which has led to dilution of protection measures. They demanded that the government immediately notify and enforce the influence zone to prevent further degradation of the lake.
“If the government fails to act within the stipulated time, we will intensify the agitation with a hunger strike, to save the Bondvol lake notified wetland,” one of the villagers told the media.
