THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
Accusing the forest department of harassing locals, residents of Khotigao under the banner of ‘Khotigao Jagruth Nagrik Sanghatna’ have warned the Khotigao sarpanch and secretary of dire consequences if the forest department continues to harass villagers.
The group submitted a memorandum to the sarpanch and secretary highlighting the various grievances against the forest department
The residents claimed that the forest department began construction by the side of the main road at Peepalamal-Khotigao and on February 23, people came together and stopped the work as they were opposed to the construction.
Speaker and Canacona MLA Ramesh Tawadkar later visited the spot and also advised the forest department not to pursue work if there was opposition from the people.
The issue was discussed at length in the Gram Sabha on the same day and a resolution was passed that the forest department should not carry out any work in Khotigao area without obtaining a no-objection certificate from the Panchayat.
Residents, however, alleged that the forest department resumed the work on March 21.
The memorandum further stated that a few years ago, the forest department began construction at Yeda along the road leading to Nadke and Keri wards, on grounds that it was building a rest room for forest staff but converted the structure into a checkpost a few years later and began harassing residents of Nadke and Keri.
Fearing a similar situation if the construction is allowed at Peepalamal, which could lead to harassment of people in Yeda, Kuskem, and Badde, the locals said they were completely opposed to the ongoing construction.
Citing instances of the forest department’s indifferent attitude, residents stated in their memorandum that there is still no road in Nadkem, and no road or electricity in Keri village.
They said the forest department opposes the road midway in Pansulemoll village, and in some places, stones have been erected to mark the boundary of Kumeri plantation.
The residents demanded the immediate halt of ongoing work to set up barbed wire fences, stone fences and digging trenches to define the boundaries
Congress leader Janardhan Bhandari, Gasper Coutinho and others supported the villagers of Khotigao in their fight against the forest department and were present along with the villagers to submit the memorandum to the Sarpanch and Secretary of Khotigao Village panchayat.
