Sanguem MLA pushes for rehabilitation of families from isolated Zuna

Margao: Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai has taken up the cause of six families residing deep in the forests of Zuna village, on the Sanguem-Joida (Karnataka) border, pitching for their rehabilitation on govt land at Uguem panchayat.

Phal Dessai said the families face acute hardship due to their isolation. “Their houses are located 10km from Bhati (Sanguem) and can be accessed only by a mud road. The mud road gets washed away every monsoon and needs to be repaired, which is done by the forest department. I, too, deploy earthmoving machines for the task,” he said.

The MLA said the settlement traces its origins to a single family that migrated to the area around 60 years ago and has since grown to occupy six houses. Since the land falls within forest limits, obtaining construction permissions from the forest department is not possible, and providing basic amenities such as water supply is unfeasible.

Phal Dessai led the Zuna inhabitants to chief minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday.

“As no permanent solution can be offered to them, I told the chief minister they should be rehabilitated on govt land in Uguem. The chief minister agreed to the proposal,” the MLA said. He said suitable govt land in Uguem has been identified for the purpose, and the rehabilitation process is expected to be taken after the chief minister’s nod.