the goan I network
VALPOI
Insisting that the State government was very serious about problems confronting people in Sattari taluka regarding land ownership rights and the wildlife issue, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant appealed for calm and urged people not to take the law in their hands.
The chief minister was interacting with members of Sattari Bhoomiputra Sanghatna (SBS) who staged a protest near the Valpoi forest department office on Friday.
Sawant had gone to inaugurate the bird festival at Valpoi and decided to meet the agitators.
He admitted that land ownership is a serious issue for people of Sattari, compelling them to struggle for benefits from the State government.
“This issue will be taken on priority as it is in public interest,” said Sawant.
SBS President Harishchandra Gawas said the people of Sattari had been repeatedly demanding land ownership rights before and after liberation, yet successive governments had failed to resolve the issue.
“Since the last 20 years following the notification of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, people have been facing various problems which have led to a conflict between humans and wild animals. We want this wildlife sanctuary de-notified because it hampers the development of Sattari taluka,” said Gawas.
Commenting on the four tiger deaths, Gawas blamed the failure of the forest officials in safeguarding the Dhangar community and their livestock.
The SBS had staged a one-day agitation near the Valpoi forest office to protest against the charge sheeting of four SBS members in the Valpoi JMFC.
Later speaking to reporters, Gawas thanked state Chief Minister Pramod Sawant for meeting with them and listening to their grievances.
“A memorandum will be submitted to the chief minister and we are confident that he will look into the matter.”
Social activist Ranjit Rane also criticised the forest department for charging five persons from the
Dhangar community in connection with the recent killing of the four tigers at Golavali-Sattari.
