CANACONA
Activists in Canacona have complained that agricultural lands and wetlands are under threat due to growing construction activity in the taluka after authorities conducted an inspection of land-filling activity near the Galgibaga river bank on Wednesday.
The activists, Denis Fernandes, Prashant Pagui and Manoj Prabhu, along with some villagers have recently taken up the mission to protect water bodies in villages, following the construction of the NH66 Bypass and bridges over Talpona and Galgibaga rivers and at the Maxem creek.
“Recently, there was some land-filling activity in Poinginnim village. This is an ecologically sensitive agricultural land situated near the Galgibaga river bank. The land is demarcated as khazan land (eco-1) in RP2021. The land-filling work and development activities are in gross violation of the RP 2021,” said Fernandes.
Following a complaint by a citizen to the TCP department and the Canacona deputy collector, the Canacona Mamlatdar issued an order and a site inspection was conducted by officers from the Inspector of Survey and Land Records, Deputy Town Planner, Town and Country Planning office (Canacona), Range Forest Officer and PWD Assistant Engineer on Wednesday.
“This is an eye-opener as filling of agricultural land and wetland for constructions is taking place in Canacona taluka. The question is, are authorities aware of these activities and if so, are they taking necessary steps to stop this destruction of agricultural and wetlands? Or are they only waiting for citizens to open their eyes and lodge complaints against such activities,” asked Fernandes.
Fernandes claimed there has been filling of agricultural land along the Ponsulem road, while construction is coming up on low-lying land in Char-Rasta.
“Who is given permissions to such activities,” asked Fernandes.
These activists have now hoped that authorities as well as Deputy Speaker and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes take steps to protect agricultural land and wetlands in Canacona for future generations.
