CANACONA
Preservation of biodiversity and complete stoppage of hill-cutting were the main points of discussion at the gram sabha of Loliem-Polem on Sunday.
Warning the politicians against bringing back the ghost of IIT or the attempts to misuse the biodiversity-rich Bhagwati Plateau on the pretext of bringing developmental projects in the village, members deliberated on the issue and reiterated the resolution passed in the special gram sabha of 2016 that no developments of whatsoever nature will be permitted at the biodiversity-rich Bhagwati Plateau.
After discussing the attempts and reported statement and visit by Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phaldessai threadbare, members were vocal in resolving that in no way IIT or any other projects would be allowed at the Bhagwati Plateau.
"This plateau having rich to very rich biodiversity of every nature and calibre, should be preserved and kept it as it is with non developments of any nature. It will be kept for cattle grazing and it will allowed to remain natural as it is," the gram sabha resolved. Members were also heard stating that the message of this decision (yet again taken in Sunday’s gram sabha) should be clearly passed to Minister Phaldessai and the local MLA as well, before the politicians venture into plotting anything in the village.
Members also stated that illegal hill-cutting was taking place in ward no 2 and was stopped after a complaint was filed and even the machinery was seized. However they said the hill-cutting resumed int he area. It should not be allowed to continue, members said. Some members present also began to highlight some instances of illegal house constructions in the village, and sought a decision to stop all kinds of illegal activities taking place in the village.
Members also raked up issue of updation of panchayat website, stating that in spite of clear-cut laid procedure, the website is not being updated at least after every gram sabha and panchayat body meetings. Sarpanch Pratiza Bandekar, Dy Sarpanch and all other panch members were present alongwith Panchayat secretary Sandeep Dessai for the meeting.
A discussion on garbage collection was held, after which sarpanch informed due to paucity of funds, panchayat is unable to take several works like cutting roadside trees and bushes. "As the government is not sharing the Octroi of Petrol pumps operating in the village, the panchcyat revenue has dipped to very low and we are unable to take any works and even taking up some of the minor and regular works has become a challenge to the panchayat body," the Sarpanch said.
