Living in dissent TNN | Mar 25, 2015, 02.00AM IST Times Panchanama: Calem-Sanguem
Isidore Domnick Mendes The residents of Calem in the hinterland taluka of Sanguem have lived a life of uncertainty over the last 20 years.The lush green village of Calem has a population of 4,500 residents. It is protected by the majestic Dongurlem mountain range and is crisscrossed by the Calem river.The village is bordered by Sanvordem town, and the villages of Collem (Dharbandora), Dabal (Dharbandora) and Uguem (Sanguem). It was in the year 1999 when Goa was being administered under President's rule and the head of the state government was then governor Mohammed Fazal, that nearly 80 percent of the village was declared as a wildlife area.The only vaddos which were left out of the wildlife area were Bhatwada, Devnamol and Ducorkond. Even today, efforts are being made by authorities to get these three vaddos in reserve forest area which would make it impossible for residents to undertake any construction or repair work. In 2004, the reserve area rule came into being.The 13 vaddos, which are marked as reserve forest areas, are Thorlemol, Khutkar wada, Dudhal, Karemol, Khamol, Kuinomol, Vegregal, Kamdar, Voldem, Mauling, Costi, Ambemol and Chanimol. "We, the villagers being residents of Calem, are equal stakeholders for the upkeep and development of this village. The central wildlife rule was formulated by officials from the Union ministry of environment and forests in New Delhi. The rule was the biggest shocker to us as most development activities came to a standstill," says Bhanudas Laxman Khutkar of Khutkarwada. The locals of Calem view their village as one "tied in chains" with no modernization work initiated since 1999. These include no upgradation or construction of the playground, crematorium, balwadi'' (pre-school), local government offices, widening and hotmixing of roads, and laying of a pipeline for water supply. To undertake any existing renovation or new construction work in Calem, locals have no proper avenue to get their grievances redressed."For years, children and youth have been dreaming of the construction of a modern sports playground, but, the wildlife rule has been the biggest obstacle. Facilities in terms of a proper playground do not exist in the village," states Vishal Naik of Costi. Concurs Vilas Bilochakar, a panchayat member and resident of Thorlemol, "The wildlife rule came as a shocker. Locals were not taken into confidence when the entire village was converted into a wildlife area. It is pitiable that Calem does not have a burial place or crematorium ground for any community, whether Hindus, Catholics or Muslims. To begin with, the villagers are hoping to get 645sqm for a crematorium ground in Thorlemol vaddo. Under the Forest Act of 2006, provisions exist for the multipurpose use of land by its residents." The villagers say that the central wildlife rule completely prevents any construction or renovation work even in one's own property."Due to the prevalent central rule, it is the biggest irony that we, villagers, cannot repair or make any modifications in our respective private properties. We have high hopes that both, the state and central government as well as the incumbent MLA will agree and the residential areas of the village will be taken out from the wildlife area. We have been living here for centuries and possess full ownership papers. We have been living in this village since Portuguese rule," states Kishor Dessai of Bhatwada. Of late, Calem villagers have been pleading with authorities that the residential areas should be shown as non-forest and non-wildlife areas so that development activities can be pursued. The total area of Calem village is 84,44,936 sqm out of which only 25 percent is residential area.“The declaration of wildlife area for the entire village has retarded the growth of infrastructure. In my vaddo, we are dependent on spring water from the 'zor' and the roads are narrow and completely uneven," states Krishna Velip of Vegregal. The panchayat says it is helpless to tackle the central act. "As a local body, we lack prowess to take on the central Wildlife Act. We are confident that the efforts of both, the present MLA and Lok Sabha MP will yield fruit and residential areas of Calem will finally be free from the wildlife and forest rules," says sarpanch Vaishali Naik. Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar agrees that neither the state government nor the panchayat is equipped to deal with the powerful central wildlife and forest rules, but, states he will try his level best to bring maximum development to the residential areas of the village. "The central rules for wildlife and forests are powerful. The time has come to modify these rules for the sake of local residents. On my own part, I am trying my level best to get development in the village. Especially, through the South Goa MP's fund, I will ensure that the much-needed crematorium sees the light of day as soon as possible. We have full confidence that defence minister Manohar Parrikar will play an important role in convincing the central authorities to get the residential parts of our village out of the wildlife area." Problem Problem Train travel Many important trains like the Goa Express (Vasco Da Gama-Hazrat Nizamuddin), Vasco da Gama-Yeshwantpur Express, Vasco da Gama-Velankanni weekly express and Vasco da Gama-Patna weekly superfast express pass through Calem station. "Apart from the Calem-Vasco train, which makes four trips daily, not a single train stops in this important station situated just next to our panchayat. Before the conversion from meter to broad gauge, important trains used to stop here, like those operating between Miraj and Vasco. It used to be a big benefit for our villagers for their travel around Goa," says Vilas Bilochakar. Banks wanted Villagers have no access to proper banking services. The union bank of India has a branch which operates twice a week. Besides this, villagers have no other banking facilities. Transport troubles There is absolutely no transport service for school and college students. "The Kadamba transport corporation does not provide any service to our village's students studying in schools and colleges based in the towns of Sanvordem and Sanguem. It is high time that transport authorities cater to the needs of our students," says Kishor Dessai of Bhatwada. Top View We are confident that the efforts of the present MLA and Lok Sabha MP will yield fruit and residential areas of Calem will be free from wildlife and forest rules Vaishali Naik, sarpanch The time has come to modify these rules for the sake of local residents. I am trying my level best to get development in the village. Ganesh Gaonkar, MLA People's take The rule was the biggest shocker to us as most development activities came to a standstill Bhanudas Laxman Khutkar For years, children and youth have been dreaming of a modern sports playground, but, the wildlife rule has been the biggest obstacle Vishal Naik In my vaddo, we are dependent on spring water from the 'zor' and the roads are narrow and completely uneven Krishna Velip We have high hopes that the state and central government will agree and the residential areas of the village will be taken out from the wildlife area Kishor Dessai Trivia Late Nevlo Varak, a freedom fighter hailed from Calem. The village is famous for its Shigmo festival, which sees celebrations start from Khutkar wada. The village is abode to the temples of Zalmi and Kalanath. Goa Ranji team player Darshan Misal and upcoming under-14 cricketer Manthan Khutkar hail from Calem. The Dhangar Samaj, the tribal community that resides in the village, excels in growing organic foods such as the papaya, sweet potato and banana.
