VALPOI
Mhadei wildlife sanctuary officers have sought police protection following recent clashes between forest staff and locals in the Mhadei sanctuary area and anticipating further tension after 54 people from three villages were booked in the connection.
According to sources, a letter seeking police protection for the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary officers has been submitted to the government, claiming that their lives have been in danger on account of the clashes and tension in the area.
Such has been the concern among Mhadei wildlife sanctuary officers that they have reduced the number of visits to these areas, fearing further clashes among the locals.
Recent clashes had taken place between locals and forest officials on May 12, leaving Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary RFO Narayan Prabhudesai injured at Bandirwada-Savarde in Sattari Taluka. The RFO is reported to have fired in the air to disperse the irate crowd. Agitated locals had also blocked vehicles of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary for several hours.
Acting on a complaint lodged by Prabhudesai, Valpoi police filed cases against 54 people from all three villages, accusing them of obstructing a government official from his discharging his duty and assaulting him.
Since the last few years, locals have been frequently clashing with forest and wildlife officials over land ownership rights. The people of Sattari have been demanding land ownership rights and have been demanding the exclusion of villages from the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
The Mhadei wildlife sanctuary covers a total of 31 villages in Sattari, which include Kelawade, Phanasuli, Charavane, Hiware Budruk, Hiware Khurd, Golvali, Surla, Satre, Darode, Kodal, Dongurli, Pali, Gulle, Zharme, Koparde, Naneli, Brahmakarmali, Shelap Budruk, Shingane Maloli, Nano Pendral, Shiranguli, Shirsoda, Asode and Gawane.
Residents of these villages have been demanding the exclusion of their villages from the jurisdiction of the sanctuary.
In a bid to settle the dispute, the government had appointed a full-time official but there has been no resolution to this issue.
