SANGUEM
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Sunday asked Forest Department officials to cease interfering with the lives of tribal communities who regard trees as sacred.
"The Forest Department did not come to plant trees or protect them in the forest. The tribal communities residing in the hill areas preserved the forest, which is why you have it today. The Forest Department should remember that the jungle and its wealth have been safeguarded for thousands of years by these tribal communities. If their ancestors had not protected the forests, the forest areas would have been destroyed today," said Sawant in stern words.
Sawant was speaking after he laid the foundation for the road connecting Kajukatto Padi, Kiskond, Karla, and Kajuor villages in the Sanguem constituency. Present on this occasion were Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Desai, former MLA Vasudev Meng Gaonkar, district panchayat member Suresh Kepekar, local panchayat members, and a large number of villagers.
These villages are getting a proper road for the first time since independence. Previously, villagers used unpaved roads for their daily commute.
Sawant instructed the Forest Department officials not to harass the people living in forest areas and to reduce interference. He emphasized that these people use dried wood for fuel, do not cut live trees unnecessarily, and perform rituals if they must cut a tree. Some trees are worshipped as deities, and even their branches are not cut. The Chief Minister urged the Forest Department to cooperate with the villagers so that they would, in turn, support forest conservation.
During this visit, the foundation for the road connecting Padi, Kiskond, Karla, Kajukotto, and Kajuor was laid by him. He stated that the road, costing approximately Rs 7.5 crores, will be completed within six months.
Meanwhile, he inspected the parallel bridge at Bendwada and the construction of the new building for the Primary Health Centre. He assured that the inauguration of the bridge would be conducted soon. Additionally, he reviewed the construction of the new buildings for Rivona and Malkarne panchayats.
The Chief Minister mentioned that several projects have been undertaken in the state during this five-year term.
While thousands travel over the Atal Setu and Zuari bridges daily, this new road connecting Kajukotto will enable students to pursue higher education and build a bright future for the nation. He noted that spending Rs 7.5 crores directly and Rs 7 crores indirectly on this project was worthwhile. He stated that the government is even willing to spend Rs 10 lakhs per individual if needed.
Minister Subhash Phal Desai was praised as a visionary leader who pursued every project persistently over the past two and a half years. The Chief Minister criticized the lack of follow-up on projects in Sanguem during the previous five years, causing delays.
