MARGAO
Agitated farmers and residents of Maina-Curtorim on Thursday took out a candlelight procession from their fields to the miraculous Khandi Khuris at Maina as they have vowed to oppose the proposed row villas cum clubhouse project on the banks of the Maina lake (Solbem Tollem).
After offering prayers to the Almighty, the farmers have vowed to take out a similar candlelight procession to the Curtorim Panchayat Ghar on January 3 when the Panchayat is scheduled to have its monthly meeting. The farmers have vowed not to leave the Panchayat Ghar till the Panchayat revokes the NOC issued for the project.
As many as nine out of the 11 members of the Curtorim village panchayat, including ward member Joaquim Estebeiro joined the farmers and villagers near Khandi Khuris to express their solidarity with the farmers and villagers in opposing the project.
The farmers and villagers have also dashed off a letter to the Chairman of the Curtorim Bio-diversity Management Committee, besides the Chief Minister, Panchayat Minister and Health Minister drawing attention of the government in respect of the project.
Lawrence Barretto informed that as the water body (Maina lake /Solbem tollem) is very close to the project, the sewage water will drain into the Maina lake and the chlorine water used for the swimming pool will also be drained into the lake. “The project is very huge, garbage will be generated and this garbage will be disposed in the lake. The lake serves as a water reservoir and this water is used by the farmers of Solbem Addie (Maina Addie) for cultivation and agriculture purposes. This lake maintains the water table of the whole village," said Lawrence.
He added: “The water from the lake is also used by dairy farmers for their cattle. Hence after pollution, dairy farmers will not be able to rear cattle. Lot of families are dependent on agriculture as the production of paddy is 500 tons in a year."
He further pointed out that the Maina lake plays host to the rich biodiversity including species such as crabs (hatra kulli), snails (konge), tortoise (tupe kasod), frogs and sweet water fish which is in high demand, as the lake fish is harvested once in a year.
Lawrence demanded that the Panch members place the file for the gram sabha and intimate the farmers.
Curtorim bio-diversity chairman Santan Rodrigues also participated in the procession taken out by the farmers and villagers. He later told the media that the Curtorim Bio-diversity Management Committee has decided to take experts' opinions from Goa State Bio-diversity Board on the matter. He further said the Committee has requested the Panchayat Secretary to keep the license in abeyance if the same is not issued till date.
