Vasco, Sept 13, 2020: A parish in Goa has urged the state government to return a lake it had given to a municipal corporation for beautification.

“The Vaddem Lake belongs to the Church,” says Father Gabriel Coutinho, parish priest of St Andrew’s Church of Vasco. In a letter sent on September 12, the priest requested Urban Development Minister Milind Naik and the director of Municipal Administration to hand over the beautified lake to the church.

Between 2011 and 2012 the then parish priest had written to the Mormugao Municipal Council only to “beautify” the lake. During that time Vasco MLA Carlos Almeida was the chairperson, who had initiated this project. Later in 2014, Dabolim Constituency MLA and Minister for Panchayat Mauvin Godinho took this project ahead for beautification.

Father Coutinho says the church has not signed any memorandum with the government and the lake was only given for the beautification.

“If we knew that after beautification, the government, MMC will lay claim over the lake then church would have not given the lake for the beautification to the government. We went ahead with our good faith and to develop public utility, which will benefit all,” the priest explained.

During a special meeting held in the church hall in Vasco on September 12 to discuss the Vaddem Lake issue, the priest thanked Godinho, Municipal Corporation and Goa State Urban Development Agency for beautifying the lake.

He urged the minister to recognize the church as the lake’s owner and return it for maintaining it. “We have sought for the appointments to meet the Urban Development Minister and Minister Panchayat in this regard. If needed, we will also meet the Chief Minister to get back this lake which is ours,” he told the meeting.

The priest urged his parishioners to request their councilors to take up the issue.

“If need arises we will also start signature campaign to get back the lake,” the priest said and added, “At this point we will try all friendly ways such as dialogue, discussion to get back the lake. If the issue still doesn’t resolve then we will be forced to knock the door of the judiciary.”

The parish priest also alleged that some people have tried to misuse the lake premises for liquor consumption and litter glass bottles, and tin canes around the lake. “The plant saplings planted year ago died due to no maintenance,” Father Coutinho regretted.

“The Vaddem Lake belongs to the Fabrica (church) and it is my duty to protect it.”

The parish priest also mentioned that he has learned that a move to sign a memorandum of understanding excluding the church.

Around 50 people attended the meeting, maintaining social distancing and other safety norms.

The Vaddem Lake, a serene looking water-body, is on the right side of the road to Vasco, a port town in Goa.

Source: heraldgoa.in