The villagers of Divar Taluka Tiswadi (Ilhas) and surrounding villages displayed strong unity in their opposition to the proposed retoration of mangroves in paddy field by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Govt of India and Water Resources Dept of Govt of Goa The change would have rendered their khazan lands belonging to COMMUNIDADES and private parties used by generations for paddy cultivation except when sluice gates were opened and fields allowed to inundate. They blamed the blatant violations on the Mamlatdar who they alleged received lacs . All were unanimous in their decision to oppose and the MLA who visited the site had to express his agreement with the villagers ...He was however asked to give it in writing which he agreed ...According to the officials of Central agencies heading the water resources dept some pan India NGO from Pune was tasked to complete the inspection and that was exactly what they were expected to do at the appointed time ...Apparently they claimed to have the full permission of the Panchayat MLA and Water Resources Dept but when the agitated villagers brought them to the site they were taken aback seeing the crowds and assured to stand by them. One lady official from Pune pan India NGO who tried in vain to explain the purpose of the inspection herself agreed that the proper process was not followed ie keeping the villagers aware of the objectives of their mission at a gram sabha or a community meet instead of permitting inspection without knowledge of the villagers. The crowd dispersed after some time and Govt officials had to go back though they had all reports from Central agencies and NIO to conduct the inspection . Apparently the locals sent a clear message ...nothing above their heads and without their explicit permission From the Divar Island Godfrey J I Gonsalves cyber journo social activist Rua San Joaquim Borda Margao Goa 91 98221 58584 (24 hrs ) [email protected] Yahoo Mail: Search, or ganise, conquer
