Mulgao Villagers Stand Firm on Mining Buffer Zone and Night Shift Demands
In a decisive gram sabha meeting held on Sunday in Mulgao, Bicholim, local residents reiterated their unwavering stance on establishing a mandatory buffer zone around the mining site as outlined in the Regional Plan 2021. The community also voiced serious concerns regarding the mining company's negligent approach toward addressing their demand to halt night operations, threatening to escalate their protest by marching directly to the active mining site to halt all work.
Buffer Zone Demands Highlighted at Gram Sabha
Chaired by Sarpanch Vishalsen Gad, the assembly saw Vasant Gad, a prominent local, raise the critical issue of demarcating the buffer zone in strict accordance with the Regional Plan 2021. He emphasized that despite repeated appeals from villagers, neither the mining company nor government authorities have taken any concrete steps to implement this essential safety measure. The buffer zone is intended to protect residential areas, temples, and natural water bodies from the adverse impacts of mining activities.
Night Shift Operations Spark Outrage
Another resident, Maheshwar Parab, strongly demanded the immediate cancellation of night shifts at the mining site, citing severe disturbances that force villagers to endure sleepless nights. He insisted that the company must cease these operations at any cost to restore peace and normalcy in the community. The discussion further focused on the urgent need to exclude houses, places of worship, and vital water sources from the existing mining lease to prevent environmental degradation and health hazards.
Development of Village Sports Ground Neglected
Adding to the list of grievances, villager Omkar Parab highlighted the panchayat authorities' failure to initiate proper development of the village sports ground. He called for the immediate commencement of pending work on this facility, stressing that such infrastructure is crucial for the well-being and recreational needs of the local youth and residents. The collective frustration underscores a broader pattern of neglect in addressing community welfare amidst ongoing mining operations.
The residents' firm resolve signals a potential intensification of their agitation, with plans to directly confront mining activities if their demands remain unmet. This standoff reflects growing tensions between industrial interests and community rights in the region, emphasizing the need for prompt governmental intervention to uphold regulatory frameworks and ensure sustainable development.
