The land-filling and construction work which was carried out on Khazan land along the riverbank at Magdal–Galgibaga.
CANACONA
The Canacona Mamlatdar ordered to halt to land-filling and construction work on Khazan land along the banks of Galgibaga river at Magdal-Galgibaga.
The directives were issued by Mamlatdar Jitendra Budge when he personally visited the site, after the contractor continued with the works despite the Talathi’s order to stop the land-filling work.
Canacona Mamlatdar Jitendra Bugde along with Circle Inspector Rohidas Gaonkar, area Talathi Shripad Pagi and Surveyor Narendra Agrasani visited and inspected the site and directed the workers to stop ongoing construction activities. A significant amount of mangroves have also been slaughtered at the site.
The Mamlatdar’s team later seized shovels and tools used for the work.
When contacted, Bugde said no one had given permission to submerge or fill up the Khazan land. “The site is at a strategic location and if soil or mud is filled up, it can damage the upper section and the property. The Talathi had asked the contractor to stop the work eight days ago, but the land owner continued the work,” said Bugde.
Locals informed that the local panchayat should have taken action as soon as they were informed about land-filling activity and cutting of mangroves. “The panchayat’s silence has emboldened people to continue the work on a larger scale,” stated a local resident.
When asked whether the agriculture department had given permission to fill mud in the khazan land, Assistant Director of Agriculture Nagesh Komarpant said: “There is a proposal to prevent salt water from entering some agricultural land under the Western-Ghat scheme and certain conditions have to be fulfilled before undertaking the works to stabilise it.”
“However, if it is to be done, permissions of departments concerned should been taken. We had given conditional permission for such works, and had a validity till March 31, which has now expired,” informed Komarpant.
Poinguinim Sarpanch Savita Tawadkar confirmed that no permission was given for this work.
Forest Officer Anant Velip informed that the forest department has registered a case against persons concerned for destruction and mass felling of mangroves in the area.
On Friday, Canacona Mamlatdar Jitendra Budge submitted his report to the Deputy Collector regarding the land-filling and construction activities carried out on Khazan land along Galgibaga riverbank, blocking the natural water-flow.
In 2009, two persons from Canacona had lost their lives in unprecedented floods which saw several residential areas being submerged in the floods. Since Galgibhag area is a flood-prone area, authorities have been strict in demanding requisite permissions from various departments before taking up construction activities in the area.
