Goemkarponn desk
VASCO: Extending his support to the farmers amid fears over the declaration of Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland, South Goa MP Captain Viriato Fernandes assured to raise the issue in the Lok Sabha.
Speaking to reporters, Capt. Viriato Fernandes said former Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) chairperson and sitting councillor Leo Rodrigues explained how his family, who had been into farming for so many years, would be affected.
“There are private properties, farmlands, Comunidade lands and tenants. Besides, there is also a buffer zone which has houses of people which need to be protected and we will not allow the government to encroach on farmlands and other properties in the name of wetland,” said Fernandes.
“Instead of reviving the farmlands, Vasco MLA Krishna Salkar wants to start boating in the area which is illogical and of no benefit to the stakeholders. We are not opposing the wetland but Salkar should take all farmers into confidence and think about reviving farmlands, which is a legacy left by our forefathers and cannot be destroyed.”
“I have given my assurance to the farmers of my full support and I will raise the issue of Maimollem’s farmers in the Lok Sabha. If necessary, I will take it to the doorstep of the prime minister.”
The South Goa insisted that under no circumstances should the State government be allowed to encroach on agricultural land and compromise the livelihoods of traditional farmers.
“These farmlands are in the Cadastral plans and ODP which cannot be shown as wetlands overnight. We also have a high court order in this issue favouring the farmers and such a step means a contempt of court order by not implementing the order,” said Capt. Viriato.
“The Goa State Wetlands Authority (GSWA) has convened a meeting of the Grievance Committee in Vasco on August 22 and 23 to hear objections and suggestions to the proposed declaration of Maimollem Lake in Vasco as a wetland, but the GSWA has not invited the farmers who are the main stakeholders, which implies a bigger conspiracy to favour a particular lobby while sidelining the farmers,” the South Goa MP added.
