Villagers from affected areas in Sanguem taluka have feared various problems and difficulties in light of the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone policy to be declared by the State government.
A meeting to discuss their apprehensions was convened at the Ganeshotsav Mandal in Kurdi-Sanguem and speakers made them aware of the difficulties that people would have to face in their daily lives once the government notifies the Eco-Sensitive Zone.
Addressing the meeting, President of Sanguem Vikas Committee Adv Anand Gaonkar said villagers residing within the proposed Eco-Sensitive Zone would be severely affected in their day-to-day activities.
“People will have a hard time in the construction of houses and also venturing out with their cattle for grazing,” said Gaonkar.
Gaonkar expressed the need to exclude private areas owned and held by people from the zone.
He also demanded scrapping of the implementation of the zone in Sanguem taluka, till the time public grievances are addressed and their properties are left out from the proposed it.
Panchayat Member Chandan Unandkar expressed the need to scrap the zone as the majority of villagers in Sanguem taluka are residing in forest areas and their lives would be severely affected once the notification comes into force.
Former Sanguem MLA Vassudev Meng Gaonkar emphasised the need for corner meetings all over Sanguem taluka to make people aware of the adverse effects of the zone.
At the meeting, it was also decided to resort to an agitation if the government fails to fulfil the demands raised by the villagers.
