MARGAO
An extra-ordinary gram sabha of Orlim panchayat on Sunday unanimously opposed the draft notification to declare the water body near the Orlim Church as a wetland.
At the extra-ordinary gram sabha especially convened by the panchayat to declare the water body as a wetland, gram sabha members voiced concern over the proposal after officials attached to the Wetland Authority of Goa explained the do’s and don’ts concerning the proposal.
Sarpanch Simon Pereira later told the media after the meeting that the proposal was unanimously objected by the gram sabha members calling for the scrapping of the proposal.
“The members were unanimous in their objection to the draft notification to declare the water body near the Church as a wetland. Members pointed out that declaring the water body as a wetland will affect the locals living around the water body and the activities,” he said.
The sarpanch further pointed out that the draft proposal, if accepted, will also affect the activities of the Church since the draft notification bars development activity within the 50-metre radius.
“A number of houses are coming within the 50-metre radius. This will affect the development activities of these individuals,” he said.
Simon added that the do’s and don’ts explained by the officials did not find favour with the gram sabha members. “The officials pointed out that the draft has been prepared by the central agencies. The officials never took the local panchayat body into confidence before making a mention of the water body in the list of wetlands,” he said.
He said a copy of the resolution opposing the draft will be forwarded to the authorities for necessary action.
