In a significant move to protect Goa’s unique identity, culture, and environment, South Goa MP Capt Viriato Fer nandes introduced a Pri vate Member’s Bill in Par liament seeking Special Status for the State. The bill, presented dur ing the recently conclud ed winter session, aims to safeguard Goa’s land, envi ronment, culture, and the rights of its people. Speaking at the bill’s in troduction in the presence of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee general secre tary Adv Srinivas Khalap and district presidents Virendra Shirodkar and Savio D’Silva, Capt Fer nandes said, “This Bill is born out of love for Goa and a responsibility to pro tect it. We have witnessed our land change drasti cally, forests and rivers under threat, and commu nities losing the character that makes Goa special. Progress matters, but not at the cost of destroying Goa’s Asmitai—its spirit and identity.” He added, “This bill pledges to protect Goa’s culture, heritage, natural beauty, and traditional way of life, ensuring fu ture generations inherit a State where nature and development coexist. Spe cial Status is more than a law—it is a promise that Goa’s heart will survive for generations.” Adv Srinivas Khalap em phasised, “The Goa Con gress stands firm in put ting Goa and Goans first. This bill is a constitutional effort to protect Goa from unchecked commercial in terests and to ensure that Goans shape their own fu ture.” Goa, known for its frag ile ecology and distinct cultural heritage, faces challenges including rap id land conversion, envi ronmental degradation, unplanned construction, and demographic pres sures. The Special Status Bill proposes the creation of a Goa Sustainable Devel opment Council, to be led by the Chief Minister with representatives from the Central Government and experts, which will guide development to balance growth with the protec tion of land, environment, and culture. The bill also seeks legal safeguards for Goan herit age, arts, architecture, and traditions, and stricter reg ulations for rivers, forests, beaches, paddy fields, and other eco-sensitive areas. Traditional communities such as fishermen, farm ers, tribals, artisans, and toddy tappers are provid ed special protections for land rights, livelihoods, housing, and education access. The bill addresses demographic concerns to maintain Goa’s socio-cul tural balance and prevent marginalisation of Goans, while promoting Konkani in both Devanagari and Ro man scripts and recogniz ing Marathi for its cultural significance. It also gives special pow ers to the Governor and the President of India to inter vene in cases where devel opment threatens eco-sen sitive zones and provides a legal definition of “Goan of Goan Origin” to safeguard rights relating to land, cul ture, and identity.
SOUTH GOA MP TABLES BILL TO HALT STATE’S ‘UNCHECKED’ DESTRUCTION
