Raises fears amongst farmers & residents on the future of agricultural fields Thanks to the grit and determination of these farmers, this land admeasuring 1.37 lakh sq mts acquired for the truck terminus opposite the new South Goa Collectorate building is literally an oasis amidst a concrete jungle taking shape in the Madel-Ambaji area of Fatorda. Notwithstanding the forcible acquisition of the fields around a decade ago for a truck terminus, farmers continue to till the land of their ancestors. But, these hapless farmers may soon realise that the acquired land in question is no longer a green zone in Margao’s Outline Development Plan (ODP) – raising fears amongst the farmers and residents alike on the future of the agricultural fields. Says a resident of Madel, Savio Dias: The farmers have been cultivating the fields for a decade now even after their acquisition. The government should return the fields to the farmers and help retain the vast stretch of the lush green belt. As a first measure, the government should de-notify the land as commercial zone or public utility and maintain it as a green belt”. Inquiries revealed that the previous Congress government had drawn up plans to set up an ambitious commercial project on the land acquired by the Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA). At that time, the land in question was notified as a commercial zone, indicating the government plans to set up a commercial project on the fields. The plan, however, could not take off as the State was heading for Assembly polls in 2007 and the political class wary of backlash from the farmers over the project. A year ago, Chief Minister, Manohar Parrikar had dropped hints to shift the Margao KTC bus stand to the acquired fields, but the proposal evoke strong objection from local MLA Vijai Sardesai and activists. Says Sardesai: “I am of the firm opinion that the government should desist from converting the lush green belt into a concrete jungle. Let these fields remain as a green belt. They should not be converted into a commercial zone”. Sardesai will raise a question in the ensuing Assembly whether a portion of the acquired land is de-notified for a housing project.