the goan I network
MAPUSA
Uncontrolled land-filling activity continues in the pristine village of Bastora, with more cases of illegal dumping of mud/debris in agricultural land coming to light.
At least four truckloads of debris were dumped by the side of the road in the fields in Menezes-vaddo, Bastora under the cover of darkness.
A local, Suhas Naik, has written to the panchayat that four truckloads of debris was dumped in the agricultural field belonging to the comunidade of Bastora, thereby blocking access to his field.
“This is tenanted land and therefore such land filling is illegal. This will block access to my fields which lies beyond,” Naik said in his complaint.
Acting on the complaint, Bastora Sarpanch Savio Martins has issued notice to the tenant of the field directing him to immediately stop the illegal dumping and to be present for site inspection on August 13.
“We have noticed that you have carried out illegal filling of mud/debris in tenanted paddy field bearing survey no 154/3 without the permission of the anchayat,” Martins said in his notice to Laximan Mahselkar, who is a tenant.
Despite such notices and action by local panchayats, illegal land filling continues unabated in the village.
“Nothing appears to bother such offenders. On the contrary they appear to be getting bolder and carry out illegal filling of land openly,” said Andrew D’Souza, former deputy sarpanch of the village.
It may recalled The Goan had recently highlighted illegal land-filling of low lying fields in Xell, Bastora.
In a recent gram sabha several villagers had raised the issue of illegal land filling and business activity going on in agricultural land.
According to the sarpanch, there is an impression created in the minds of the people that nothing can be done on agricultural land.
“The panchayat has taken steps to create awareness among local farmers how agricultural land can be used for better prospects. With the help of the local MLA we are promoting agriculture in the village. We have started water melon cultivation and are carrying out mechanized farming,” Martins said.
It is pertinent to point out that State Legislative Assembly recently passed The Land Revenue Code (Amendment) Bill 2018 where the North and South Goa collectors have been given powers to act instantly on complaints and restore to its original position all illegally filled low-lying land which is agricultural, khazan and all eco-sensitive zones including all water bodies.
