Following a complaint by Talathi, Canacona Mamlatdar Jitendra Bugde intervened to stop land filling activities in the low-lying areas of Khazan in Madgal of Poinguiniam. Upon inspection, Mamlatdar Jitendra Bugde found that a board had been put up claiming ‘river bank stabilization work’, yet it was clear that no such stabilization efforts were going on. Instead, large-scale felling of mangrove trees and land filling activities were observed, indicating a focus on land development rather than riverbank sustainability.
It is learned that a private property owner had taken permission from the agriculture department under the Paschimghat scheme to prevent water encroachment on agricultural land. However, no permission was sought from the local panchayat, forest department or CRZ authority.
Upon inspection, the flying squad officers directed the private contractor to stop all land filling activities in the private Khazan Land area until further notice is issued. Additionally, the officers observed the manual work equipment used by the workers during the inspection. The equipment was confiscated. Sources in the Mamlatdar office said that a comprehensive report in this regard will be sent to all concerned departments.
