Paddy from the Loutolim khazan fields harvested and stacked for thrashing.
Photo Credits: The Goan
MARGAO
The government’s decision to cap the land acquisition process to acquire 3.4 lakh square metres of land for the new high-level Borim bridge has left the beleaguered farmers of Loutolim disheartened and agitated.
They, however, now pin their hopes on the judiciary, including the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the High Court to save their khazan fields from destruction.
Farmers pointed out that the construction of the bridge through the khazans will spell doom for the age-old fields and leave many farmers without agricultural land for their sustenance.
“I am really disheartened by the government’s decision to rush with the notification and to declare that the land in question now vests absolutely with the government. They should have waited for the NGT hearing scheduled to take place on October 22 before taking the decision. The fact that the government has rushed to cap the land acquisition process shows their true intentions,” remarked Alberto Pinheiro, president of the Loutolim Tenants Association.
He added: “We are also disheartened with the government decision, more so when the government has called for the protection of the unique khazan fields from destruction in the State. How can the government go about promoting khazans in the State when the very khazans cultivated over the years at Loutolim will be destroyed when the bridge is constructed through the fields.”
While the petition before the National Green Tribunal is slated for October 22, the farmers are considering approaching the Bombay High Court to challenge the government’s decision to arbitrarily reject their objections and rejoinders regarding the land acquisition process.
Meanwhile, social activist Abhijit Prabhudesai, who has been actively associated with the farmers and land losers objecting to the land acquisition, said, “We have no doubt that this notification shall be summarily dismissed by appropriate judicial authorities. This notification clearly proves that the executive is not concerned about judicial decisions, even when pointed out. The executive is reduced to a blind slave of the greed of barons, leading our species and the rest of the life forms on this planet to extinction in a few decades.”
He added: “Residents of Loutulim and Borim have already raised this issue before the NGT and the next hearing is on October 22. Locals are confident that NGT or HC will declare the notification as illegal. The judgment of the Supreme Court in the P V Krishnamoorthy matter stated that notification under section 3D of the National Highways Act cannot be issued unless all environmental and forest clearances are first obtained.”
