As VP slumbers, filling of agricultural fields goes on unchecked at Parra

MAPUSA, GOA: In spite of several complaints by social activists and locals, filling of agricultural fields is going on unchecked at Parra, Bardez, with the Village Panchayat in deep slumber, oblivious to the damage being caused to the surroundings and environment at large.

Except for sending customary notices, the Parra Village Panchayat has done very little and politically connected individuals – for example a former PA of the Calangute MLA, Ashley Vaz, are alleged to be involved in land filling, which locals claim are with ulterior motives, with a view to eventually convert the fields into settlement zones.

While Ashley Vaz’s name has cropped up in a couple of cases, activists allege there are other politically connected people in the Parra panchayat area who have filled up fields, creating roads, blocking traditional water ways and destroying open lands, with a view to possibly convert them into settlement zones later on.

Vaz who has the backing of the Calangute MLA, has been accused of alleged arm-twisting, strong arm tactics and even threatening residents into complying with the wishes of his cronies from Parra, who want to raise the surface level of their fields, ostensibly to start cultivation of fruit trees and vegetables.

According to an activist from Parra, Vaz is accused of threatening those who don’t comply, with dire consequences and undue harassment.

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For example in a case of field filling at Jackni Vaddo, in Survey No 136 of Parra Village, the VP issued a show cause notice in March this year. However, two months later, further to the issuance of the notice, absolutely no action was taken by the village panchayat officials.

While the owner of the field bearing Survey No 136 of Parra Village, Anthony Dsouza claimed in a letter to the Panchayat, that he wanted to starting growing fruits and vegetables in his field and hence needed to raise the level of the ground surface, which is under water during the monsoon months, neighbouring farmers have claimed otherwise.

According to them, raising the level of one field, will impact all the fields in the vicinity and disrupt the farming activity which has been going on for generations. Further, filling of soil in Dsouza’s field has blocked traditional waterways and natural flow of rain water during monsoon months will be greatly impacted.

The farmers allege the Ashton Vaz along with Dsouza forced them to sign irrevocable NOCs, stating that they would create pathways or culverts for rain water to flow.

While Dsouza was not available for comment, one of the affected farmers, Alex Saldanha said the filling of one field has severely impacted the prospects of growing crops or farming activity in his field. “They have blocked the traditional waterways and created problems for other farmers,” Saldanha told this reporter.

Ward member of Ward number 7, Domnic D’souza in which the alleged land filling has taken place was not available for comment.