The “OIN-Plaine du Var” and Colibris 06 collectives are organizing a demonstration this Saturday, October 20, to raise awareness among the population and urge decision-makers to address the alarming appropriation of land and the dispossession of farmers worldwide.
As part of the March organized by Gandhi International for access to land, which includes actions and events around the world, a large gathering is organized in the Var Plain in Nice (meeting at 2 p.m. at the Digue des Français/avenue Montel) to:
- reclaim fertile lands,
- re-appropriate water resources,
- defend our fellow citizens and future generations.
This action is proposed to all citizens who agree with the necessity of reclaiming fertile lands, re-appropriating water resources, and defending and supporting our fellow citizens in this struggle for them, for us, and for future generations.
This Citizen March carries a simple message: citizens must decide for and about their territories themselves.
It is conducted in coordination with the Terra Segurana operation, supporting actions and principles.
The March will be followed by a grand festive and musical evening.
Nadège Bonfils, spokesperson for the ‘OIN-Plaine du Var’ collective, explains her commitment: “The OIN – Eco-valley is emblematic of the major useless and destructive projects for our earthly heritage: it is a project that plans, over 30 years, the development of the Var Plain on an area of 10,000 hectares.
The Var Plain, an unknown earthly paradise, is a place that represents significant stakes for our future. It contains an aquifer that supplies potable water to several hundred thousand inhabitants. These are the most fertile lands in the department, potentially allowing for productive, quality agriculture (local production in respect of the environment): the Var Plain yields three to four crops a year.
In terms of biodiversity, it is a very important area for many species of birds and plants, boasting incredible richness. Indeed, it has been subject to classifications at the European level.
If we believe that the development of the Var Plain is a necessity, we question the declared project, which leads to the expropriation of the last still-cultivated agricultural lands.
To continue: “Currently, no one is able to provide the future development plan for these 10,000 hectares, studies and forecasts are made in total opacity, leaving out the citizens.
Let’s be aware: of the urgent situation currently being experienced by the first expropriates of the Var Plain, of the increasingly disappearing fertile lands in France (the equivalent of a department every 7 years), and all over the world, of the distress of many farmers seeking land to settle: 170 young farmers are looking for land in the 06! Of the irreversible pollution of our water resources and underground rivers among the purest in Europe! Of the irresponsible debt contracted by some notables behind our backs: four and a half billion euros over 100 years: it is future generations who will continue to pay the price!
Faced with the crisis in Europe and the world, it becomes essential to preserve the last agricultural lands at the risk of having a real food crisis in one of the most populated departments of France.”
“Following the example of the Terra Segurana operation, which represents a concrete action of reclaiming our fertile lands and which we strongly support through this action. We call on all citizens, as well as the elected officials of this territory, to take responsibility and consider the future we want for our department, our region, for future generations…” she concludes.
