VASCO
Vasco farmers led by former Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson and sitting councillor Leo Rodrigues on Wednesday opposed the declaration of Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland.
A delegation of farmers and Comunidade members also invited South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes for his support on the issue and convened a joint meeting opposing the move on Wednesday morning.
This meeting was convened a day ahead of Goa State Wetlands Authority (GSWA) convening a meeting of the Grievance Committee in Vasco on August 22 and 23 from 2 pm onwards to hear objections and suggestions to the proposed declaration of Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland. As many as 244 persons have filed their objections and suggestions to the proposed declaration.
The move to declare Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland has sparked widespread opposition among local farmers.
They claimed that this move is a betrayal of the traditional farming community who have cultivated the land for generations.
The decision has raised concerns among farmers and local residents alike, as it threatens not only their livelihoods but also the rights of nearby homeowners.
Local stakeholders including farmers, Comunidade members, land owners and tenants feel that if Maimollem’s agricultural land is officially declared a wetland, it could impose severe restrictions on construction activities in the surrounding areas, including Alto Mangor Hill and other parts of Vasco.
The local farming community, along with homeowners, fears that this change would lead to a significant impact on the value of their land and properties.
