Team Herald
CALANGUTE: The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) on Monday said it will be forced to start a people’s movement to save Sinquerim hill at Candolim if the State government allows a five-star hotel group to develop the hill for commercial purposes.
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The CCF has called a public meeting to decide on the next plan of action on February 5 5.30 pm in the Church Hall, Candolim.
CCF members at a press conference, said they had in a recent complaint to the chief minister and other authorities stated: “Villagers of Candolim along with CCF and people of Calangute constituency and surrounding areas are coming together to express our grave concern regarding the recent decision by the State government which signed the supplement lease agreement on August 13, 2024 with The Indian Hotels Company Limited permitting them to carry out the development of Sinquerim hill for commercial purposes in a property bearing Survey No. 96/0 of Candolim on a land area of 3,00,000 sqms against lease amount of Rs 62,25,00,000 for a period of 50 years (plus 24 years on mutually agreed terms).”
“There is an apprehension within the villagers that once this project begins, the doors are going to be wide open for the destruction of the entire hill area. The fact is the notification getting published in the gazette for change in the zone of surrounding areas which are acquired by top developers and business lobby.”
“This property belonged to the Comunidade of Candolim and was acquired by the government with the specific condition that no commercial development would take place on this land. The Candolim panchayat has also consistently opposed any form of development on this hill. Sinquerim hill is not only a treasure trove of old heritage monuments but also an essential ecological zone contributing to the environmental balance of the village. Allowing commercial activities in this area poses a direct threat to the hill’s biodiversity and the overall environmental balance of Candolim,” the CCF said, urging the government to reconsider the decision to lease Sinquerim hill for commercial development, failing which it will start a movement ‘Save Sinquerim Hill For Next Generation’ with support from the people of Calangute and Goa.
The CCF in the complaint has also suggested that in keeping with the sentiments of local residents, the Sinquerim Hill could be developed as a world-class botanical garden. “This initiative would serve as a sustainable and eco-friendly tourist attraction while preserving the natural and historical integrity of the area,” it said.
