Mapusa: Villagers of Pomburpa–Olaulim, on Sunday, unanimously resolved to remove fencing permitted by the panchayat on private forest land and also opposed any new projects with swimming pools in the village, citing increasing water scarcity concerns.
The decisions were taken during the ordinary gram sabha on Sunday.
A proposal was moved by villager Mithon Mhambre regarding fencing permission granted by the Pomburpa–Olaulim panchayat in a private forest area in Pomburpa.
Villager Dhiren Fadte said that an FIR had been registered against the owner for allegedly setting fire to trees on the property.
He demanded that the panchayat not grant fencing permission in properties with natural cover and also sought removal of the fencing.
Chairman of the Biodiversity Management Committee of Pomburpa–Olaulim, Alvito D’Souza, appealed to villagers to remain vigilant regarding environmental issues affecting the village.
He alleged that trees in the private forest were being destroyed by setting fires to clear the land, which could adversely affect wildlife and biodiversity in the area.
Fadte raised the issue of new construction projects with swimming pools, and said villagers were already facing water scarcity.
He stated that the WRD had also acknowledged water shortage issues and demanded that no new projects with swimming pools should be permitted in the village.
Panchayat secretary Kritesh Korgaonkar said that the panchayat had already passed a resolution not to grant permission for projects with swimming pools.
Another issue discussed was the long-pending Hindu crematorium project at Golna.
Villager Vasudev Chopdekar said that around 8,900 sqm of land had been allotted to the panchayat for the crematorium.
However, despite this, the matter had remained unresolved for several decades, and is presently pending before the court.
Chopdekar said that, following court directions, demarcation of the property was to be carried out, but some tenants were allegedly obstructing the process.
He demanded that the panchayat members remain present at the site along with police protection to ensure that the demarcation work is completed.
Villager Gamlin Fernandes said the issue of tenant verification had been repeatedly highlighted for the past three years, but no concrete action had been taken.
He demanded that panchayat members undertake house-to-house verification of rental premises to monitor tenants and maintain records.
Fernandes also highlighted the poor condition of roads and traffic congestion in the village and sought clarification regarding pending restoration works.
Sarpanch Maria Fernandes e Horta said that the panchayat had already written to the contractor concerned, who had assured that the road restoration works would be completed by June.
Fernandes further demanded action against the transportation of construction material after 7 pm, alleging that such movement was being carried out in violation of permitted timings and causing inconvenience to villagers.
