Loliem comunidade lists 79 encroachments

Margao/Canacona: The Loliem-Polem comunidade has identified 79 encroachments, including homes, on its land at Dapot and Madditalap. This move is in line with high court directives to govt to take immediate action against illegal structures, including those on comunidade land.The action comes just days after the comunidade sparked controversy by approving several major development projects on the ecologically sensitive Loliem plateau. The list of identified encroachments has been submitted to the administrator of comunidades, South Zone, for further action, said Loliem-Polem comunidade president, Vishwajit Varik.A joint survey involving the comunidade team and an official surveyor has been scheduled for July 20 to identify and confirm any remaining houses and encroachments in the area, Varik said.What is significant is that on July 6, the comunidade’s extraordinary general body meeting approved several major projects on its land. These include a 100MW solar power plant by Concord Innovations requiring 15 lakh sqm, a sainik school by Vadenagar Shikshan Seva Mandal seeking 50,000sqm, and tourist amenities by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation. A Film City encompassing 10 lakh sqm was also approved earlier.

The approvals have sparked controversy over the future of the Loliem plateau, with villagers intensifying their opposition. They have launched a signature campaign and are threatening to start an agitation. The Loliem gram sabha has already passed resolutions to conserve the plateau, specifically to preserve water resources, cattle grazing lands, agriculture, forest produce, wildlife, and biodiversity.