Dabhal gram sabha seeks exclusion of Mhaisal, Kamarkand from ESA list

Margao: Villagers of Kirlapal-Dabhal have demanded that Mhaisal and Kamarkand be excluded from the proposed Western Ghats ecologically sensitive area (ESA) list, fearing the designation will restrict construction, repairs and other activities in the villages.At a special gram sabha, villagers passed a resolution seeking the exclusion of the two villages from the ESA proposal. They also resolved to forward all objections received over the past several days to the authorities the same day to meet the deadline for filing them.“Our demand is that both villages be excluded from the ESA. If the entire villages cannot be excluded, then at least the residential areas and private properties in these villages should be kept out,” a villager said.Villagers said an ESA tag could affect basic amenities and livelihoods. “If these villages are brought under the ESZ, residents will not be able to build or repair their houses, roads cannot be built in the villages, and fencing for plantations will not be allowed,” another villager said.Sarpanch Damodar Bandekar backed the villagers’ stand.The demand comes amid Union environment ministry’s fifth draft notification issued this year, which proposes 108 Goa villages, covering 1,461 sq km across Sattari, Canacona, Dharbandora and Sanguem talukas, as ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats.State govt has opposed the proposed list since 2024. It initially sought the exclusion of 47 villages and later reduced its demand to 21 villages, seeking a final list of 87 ESA villages.The draft notification, issued on July 27, prohibits mining, quarrying and sand mining within ESAs. Existing mines are required to be phased out within five years of the final notification or on expiry of their leases, whichever is earlier.The notification is open to public objections for 60 days, after which govt will consider issuing the final notification.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Goa | Silver Rate in Goa | Bank Holidays in Goa | Public Holidays in Goa | Petrol Price in GoaStay updated with the latest Goa news. Download the TOI App.