VALPOI
Already smarting over the notification of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary which has been in place for over two decades and the proposed Tiger Reserve, people of Sattari are in no mood to be saddled with more misery in the form of another proposal to declare eco-sensitive areas in the taluka.
Not only do they consider these reserved areas as threats and limitations to their lives and livelihoods, the people have vociferously claimed that such restrictions would deny them their legitimate right to promote development in their areas.
“While the boundaries of the Mhadei Sanctuary have not been decided as yet, efforts are being made to further restrict the livelihoods of people in Sattari taluka by declaring eco-sensitive areas,” said Harishchandra Gawas, President of Sattari Bhoomiputra Sangathan.
“If this area is declared as an eco-sensitive area, the people of Sattari taluka will have to face different kinds of problems. It is claimed that there is no restriction by the government. But our question is that since the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is already notified, what is the need for an eco-sensitive area? The people of Sattari taluka have endured many hardships for 24 years following the notification of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.”
“We feel the government should not rush and declare dozens of villages as eco-sensitive areas and instead, should give relief to the people who are already facing difficulty on account of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary,” said Gawas.
He warned that people of Sattari taluka would oppose the inclusion of villages in the ESAs.
Bhironda Sarpanch Udaysingh Rane wondered if the Central and State governments are trying to ruin the lives and livelihoods of people in Sattari taluka by subjecting them to three blows.
“The people of Sattari are already suffering with various restrictions on account of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. Now, there are efforts to declare the area as Tiger Reserve and eco-sensitive areas,” said Rane.
“Instead of providing relief, the government appears to be misleading the people and is subjecting the people to further hardships. People of Sattari taluka want development and will not tolerate anything that will come in the way of development.”
Keri ZP member Devyani Gawas said the people of Sattari taluka have, so far, largely protected the natural greenery in the taluka.
“As a result, the government should not try to create a further divide between people and nature by setting up eco-sensitive areas in Sattari taluka. But if the government goes ahead and declares several villages as eco-sensitive areas, there will be growing tensions between people living in rural areas and employees of the forest department in the area,” warned the ZP member.
