CANACONA
The Gram Sabha of Poinguinim Village Panchayat recently held a meeting to discuss the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) Notification No. S.O. 3060(E), published in the Gazette of India on 31st July 2024. The members made several key observations during the discussion.
The Gram Sabha noted that Poinguinim village is included in the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) of the Western Ghats as per the draft MoEF&CC notification. It was also highlighted that 318 residents of the village had submitted a petition to MoEF&CC requesting Poinguinim’s retention within the ESA.
The draft notification provided clarity on several issues, assuring that existing healthcare facilities would continue operating in the ESA. It also specified that there would be no restrictions on the change of property ownership or on the repair, extension, or renovation of residential houses, as long as these activities comply with current laws and regulations.
Additionally, the Gram Sabha took note that activities such as agriculture, horticulture, plantations, animal husbandry, services, and the construction or repair of residential homes would continue in ESA villages, provided they comply with prevailing laws.
However, certain activities, including thermal power plants, polluting industries, mining, and large-scale construction projects (over 20,000 square meters), would be prohibited in ESA zones.
The Gram Sabha unanimously resolved that Poinguinim village should remain in the ESA of the Western Ghats. It was decided that the Panchayat would write to MoEF&CC, the Chief Minister of Goa, and the Minister for Environment & Climate Change, urging the implementation of this resolution and the inclusion of Poinguinim in the ESA.
The Panchayat also agreed to take legal action, including filing court petitions, to ensure the village’s inclusion in the ESA.
The issue of the Galgibaga river was also raised during the meeting. One member reported that leftover construction materials from the KRC Bridge and Galgibaga-Maxem Bridge projects had obstructed the river’s flow. Encroachments on both sides of the river were also hindering its natural flow.
The Sarpanch informed that the Panchayat is awaiting an inspection report from the BDO, after which further action will be taken.
The meeting was attended by Sarpanch Savita Ramesh Tawadkar, Dy. Sarpanch Sunil Paingankar, and most Panchayat members, except for the Galgibaga Panch. Panchayat Secretary Rajiv Naikgaonkar confirmed the minutes of the previous meeting before moving forward with the agenda. Several other members, including Savy Barretto, Rajiv Mokhardkar, Robert Barretto, Pravin Prabhu, Ajit Poinguinkar, and Biodiversity Management Committee Chairman Subhash Mahale, actively participated in the discussions.
