Mulgao locals firm on demand to demarcate mine buffer zone

Bicholim: Mulgao locals, at the gram sabha held on Sunday, remained firm on their stand to demarcate a buffer zone as per the Regional Plan 2021 around the mine. The locals also expressed concern over the negligent attitude of the mining company in fulfilling the demand of villagers to stop the night shift and threatened to intensify their agitation by marching towards the ongoing mining site to stop the work.

At the gram sabha chaired by sarpanch Vishalsen Gad, Vasant Gad, a local, raised the issue of marking the buffer zone as per the Regional Plan 2021. He said despite their repeated demands, neither the mining company nor govt has taken initiative to mark the buffer zone.


Maheshwar Parab, another local, demanded that the company should cancel the night shift at any cost as the people have to spend sleepless nights due to the disturbance. The discussion also focused on excluding the houses, temples and natural water bodies from the mining lease.

Omkar Parab, a villager, raised the issue of panchayat authorities not having taken any initiative to undertake proper development of the village sports ground. He demanded that the pending work of this ground be undertaken without any delay.