Team Herald
PANJIM: “Does Goa educate students to destroy the environment?” This question was raised by the villagers and activists during a protest held to oppose the proposed World Peace University which is proposed to come up on Tivim Cansa Hill.
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Tivim Block Congress president Hemant Kambli said, “If we all are united then the university will not come up. We are not against university because students require education, but proper procedure has not been followed. The Comunidade should have taken into confidence all the gaunkars before taking any decision. There are many people who have built houses with their hard-earned money and those houses have not been regularised, but here the government is amending rules for the benefit of outsiders.”
Vijay Banaulekar said, “Comunidade land is for the next generation. It needs to be protected, not sold. But the government is interfering and doing whatever it wants. This is not correct. While locals are waiting for legalisation of their properties, here a project owned by an outsider is granted permission. I do not think any university will come up. The story appears to be different.”
Shivdas Kambli, a panch member said, “I do not think any study has been conducted before the project was proposed. There are three mines within the radius of 1.5 km near the proposed site of the project. If the university comes up then who will be responsible for the health issues caused by pollution.”
Godfrey D’Lima said, “The land has been sold at peanut price and when we object then notices have been issued against us.”
Social activist Xencor Polgi said, “There is protest in almost all the villages across the State, be it Sancoale, Sanvordem, Sanguem, Pernem or Morjim. The government is hell-bent on destroying our rivers, hills and agricultural fields. The Chief Minister should clarify how much land is being converted and who is allowing it to happen. The government is not for the ordinary people of the State, but for the casino, coal and builder lobbies.”
Activist Sanjay Barde said the government should clarify why many primary schools have been closed in the State.
“Chief Minister Pramod Sawant should think why he is allowing the project to come up when local residents are opposing it. Why is the government promoting a private university when there is already a government university existing in the State?” he asked.
Former MLA Kiran Kandolkar pointed to the large-scale destruction of the environment due for the construction of the proposed university.
Kandolkar raised doubts about the university’s true purpose, fearing it could eventually be converted into hotels or other commercial ventures.
He expressed concern that local children might not benefit from the university, while international students could bring negative influences and could lead to anti-social activities.
