the goan I network
VALPOI
Residents of Caranzol and Kumthol in Sanvodem Sattari taluka on Wednesday insisted that the State government should grant land ownership rights to locals before claiming forest rights and depriving locals of their ancestral properties.
The residents, who are members of the Bhumiputra Sanghatana, put forth their views at a Forest Rights Committee meeting at Kumthol, which was Sattari Deputy Collector Mangaldas Gaonkar to discuss pending issues of forest claims.
Sattari Joint Mamlatdar Sanjeevani Satardekar was also present on the occasion.
The residents pointed out land ownership rights had been the main focus since they had been put to severe hardships in the absence of being considered owners of the land and had
been deprived of several government schemes and benefits.
Deputy Collector Mangaldas Gaonkar elaborated on the claim of forest rights and appealed to residents to settle their pending claims under the Forest Act.
However, the residents flatly reject his appeal and raised the issue of land ownership rights.
Speaking on the occasion, association leader Harichandra Gawas said the issue of land ownership would not be compromised by residents in any way and said it was their right to own the land of their ancestors.
He also claimed that the gates installed by the Mhadei Sanctuary authorities in different villages of Sattari taluka was illegal and demanded the immediate removal of these gates.
Another resident, Batu Gawade, raised the issue of nuisance caused by wild animals in their plantations, adding that locals had been traditionally preserving environment for generations and did not need instructions from the forest department.
Local Panch Narayan Gaonkar, social activist Vishwash Parab, Antonio Pinto, Arjun Gawade were among those who also expressed their views at the meeting.
