MARGAO
A group of farmers from Maina in Curtorim village have urged the Captain of Ports to revoke the NOC, if any, granted for felling of mangroves in order to build a bandh, saying the activity will destroy agricultural activity.
Adding that the Curtorim has been the rice granary of Salcete over the years, the farmers demanded intervention by the Captain of Ports as well as by the Agriculture Minister to save the fields in the village.
Addressing the media, a Maina farmer Lawrence Baretto said mangroves, which give protection to the bandh, have been felled to make way for a plot. “The farmers here go for two paddy crops every year on vast tracts of agricultural fields spread across 160 acres. These farms have been giving us our livelihood over the decades and we do not want any interference from anyone in the smooth agricultural operations”, Lawrence said.
Deputy Sarpanch Simon Barretto said the activity of building a bandh may threaten agricultural activity. “Mangroves have been felled, but there’s still no action from the forest department. We will write demanding action,” he demanded.
