The proposed Greenfield airport project at Mopa has brought uncertain future for the members of the nomadic Dhangar tribes, as the state government has acquired land, where the tribes claim to have been living for generations together. The tribes, who claim that they have been living on the plateau since over a century, say they are left in a lurch, as they are not sure about getting the government compensation, which is paid for land acquisition.
From the Mopa village, which is almost 30 kms north of the capital city of Panaji, it is an hour’s ride through the rough and non-tarred roads to reach the Mopa-Sodo pleateau, which is home for 12 families of this tribal community. Eighty-year-old Bhago Warak, who stays here with his family, says he was born here and has been living at the site ever since he can remember. The family has now multiplied and there are five more houses of the Waraks here. Some more people from the same community have also joined them and shared the space without any differences.
“Things were all right till 2000. But suddenly, there was a buzz of airport project planned here. Initially, we thought that we would be spared, as we live much away from the actual Mopa village,” Bhago said. ”But, we were dejected when we saw government officers coming here to demarcate the land for the airport project,” he added. Raising goats is the prime vocation of the Dhangar families, whose male members travel to Pernem, a small town few kilometers away on Goa-Maharashtra border in search of daily wage job.
“The original owners of the land are Deshprabhu, Parab, Kambli and Fauzdar families. There is no record with us to prove our rights. But it’s truth that we have been staying here for almost a century now,” Bhago claimed.
Goa government has fast paced the Greenfield airport project, which is expected to take shape by 2015. The airport, once completed, is expected to accommodate wide-bodied aircrafts. It would be the second airport in the coastal state. For ages, the Dhangar families have battled against the odds. Namisha Warak, a housewife, narrates how they travel three kilometres to reach to a spring to fetch fresh water. There is no electricity in this hamlet. ”Children have to travel three kilometres to reach to the nearest road where they are picked up by a school bus. Everyday they travel two hours to reach to the bus stand,” Namisha explained.
While the families are still uncertain about their future, in a jocular vein they also say that ‘although they will not be able to board the aeroplane, airport will help them have a look at the flights from close quarters, which they have never got an opportunity to.’
“What will we do watching flights? There is no assurance from the government about employment to the locals. We would happily relocate ourselves, if there is some assurance of at least employment at the project,” a young boy, school drop out from one of the families stated.
However, local legislator, Rajendra Arlekar, who is also the Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, has assured that those who are affected due to the airport project, would be given compensation. “Even if they have no document to prove their right of land, government will compensate them,” he assured.
Courtesy: outlookindia
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