Citizens raised questions and expressed apprehensions about the proposed development of Sapu Tollem at Ambelim as a wetland.
MARGAO
Local residents and farmers of Ambelim havedemanded that the government clarify the notification of Sapu Tollem as awetland.
At a special meeting called by Ambelimsarpanch Alexender D’Silva to discuss and deliberate on the demarcation of thewetland area, residents said the panchayat and the government should notproceed with the wetland proposal unless they first allayed the apprehensionsraised by the local populace.
Velim MLA Cruz Silva, who attended the specialmeeting, later told the media that local residents were apprehensive aboutcertain issues, including the wetland area, the buffer zone and theimplications for local residents.
To allay the apprehensions and provide clarityon the wetland proposal, the MLA said wetland officials would be allowed toproceed with the demarcation only if the local people were satisfied with theexplanation of the proposal.
“The farmers, tenants and local residents haveraised certain doubts about the wetland proposal. They had conveyed theirdoubts when the Authority had deputed a surveyor to the village. We had alsotaken up the matter with senior Wetland Authority officials, and they haddeputed a team to explain it to the villagers,” he said.
Since local farmers, tenants and residents hadraised doubts about the wetland proposal, the Wetland Authority would proceedwith it only after addressing all their concerns. “We have stopped thedemarcation, and it will take place only after the people are taken intoconfidence,” Silva added.
Sarpanch D’Silva said the Sapu Tollem wetlandissue had been raised at the last two or three panchayat meetings, during whichfarmers, tenants and local residents had complained that they had not beentaken into confidence. “The local stakeholders have raised an objection,pointing out that although Sapu Tollem measures only 3,000 square metres, theAuthority has shown a wetland measuring two lakh square metres,” he said,adding that the panchayat would write to the Wetland Authority conveying the doubtsand fears raised by farmers, tenants and local residents.
