Forest Rights: Poigunim MLA Tawadkar pressurise GAKUVED

According to the just received reports Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar has been trying to exert pressure on Devidas Gaonkar of Gawda Kunbi Velip and Dhangar Federation (GAKUVED) over the Forest Rights Act 2006 implimetation.

Goa Government has sabotaged the implimentation of FRA 2006 by ignoring to constitute mandatory Sub-divisional Committees as well as District level committees. MLA Tawadkar instead of forcing the State Government to constitute them is turning the heat on those working to impliment the same.

MLA Tawadkar few hours ago has threatened to march to the house of Devidas Gaonkar with his BJP party workers to end end the process of implimetation of Forest Rights Act within Khotigaon wildlife sancturay jurisdictions. Villagers - mostly tribals here face routine harrsment from forest department. forest departeemtn also involved in regula timber trade.

Please intervene at this stage and support Devidas Gaonkar. Please call him up at his mobile number 00 91 9373210686. Also please call up MLA Ramesh Tawadkar and ask him to stop pressurizing Devidas Gaonkar. MLA's contact mobile is 00 91 94224416000, 9325901049. His Landline contact: 0832 - 2639069.

GAKUVED objects to proposal to declare Khotigao WLS as Critical Wildlife Habitat

30-09-2010

To,

The Chief Conservator of Forest,

Directorate of Forest,

Panaji, Goa

Sub: Adivasi Right to Recognition and Declaration of their Land Rights under Forest Rights Act, 2006.

Sir,

GAKUVED Federation strongly objects the decision of of the government to declare Khotigao Wildlife Sanctuary as 'Critical Wildlife Habitat' without settling claims of the Adivasi tribes and other forest dwellers under Forest Rights Act 2006 as it will be the total violation of Article 21 of the constitution of India. Article 21 of the Constitution assures the Adivasi tribes the right to their livelihood, right to their homes, right to their environment, right to their life and to live with human dignity.

Further to bring to your notice that in order to highlight problems related to land belonging to the tribal people in Goa GAKUVED has organized "People's Tribunal" with the theme "Restoration of Adivasi Homelands in Goa" on 30th & 31st May, 2009 at Menezes Braganza Hall, Panaji, Goa.

I am enclosing herewith the 'Interim Observations' of the said "People's Tribunal" for your kind information and request you to take necessary action on the recommendations made by the Panel of Jury.

Hope the above request will be considered and the land and resource rights of Adivasi tribes are not denied.

Thanking you,

Yours faithfully,

Sd/-

(Durgadas G. Gaonkar)

PRESIDENT

Forest official slaps Khotigao villager

Goa Forest department official today slapped Khotigao villager Panglo Velip of Pansulemoll while he was traveling on the road near his house. Villagers has rushed to the Canacona Police Station to lodge complaint against the forest official.

This is latest in the series of harassment to the forest based villagers specially tribal people.


Sebastian Rodrigues with input from Devidas Gaonkar