Villagers of San ta Cruz have issued a blunt ultimatum to the State government, accusing it of weakening court-mandat ed safeguards for Bondvoll Lake and warning of a hun ger strike if corrective action is not taken within a week. At the centre of the pro test is the alleged dilution of the lake’s protection buffer. While the High Court had earlier directed a 200-me tre no-construction buffer around Bondvoll Lake, vil lagers allege that a recent wetland notification has reduced this buffer to just 50 metres, raising fears of unchecked construction and irreversible ecological damage. Speaking to reporters at Azad Maidan, villager Elsa Fer nandes said, “The Bondvoll Lake issue was in the High Court, and as per the High Court judgment, the protection buffer zone of the lake is 200 metres. But under the recent wetland notification, the buffer zone has been reduced to just 50 metres. This has raised a question mark — not just for Bondvoll Lake, but for all wetlands in Goa.” Fernandes alleged that although national guidelines clearly lay down how wetlands and their zones of influence are to be identified and protected, these are not being prop erly implemented at the State level. “An extensive survey has recently been conducted in Chimbel. A similar survey needs to be conducted for Bondvoll Lake as well. How will we fight builders when there is no protection for the lakes? The wetland notification is causing more damage instead of protecting the lake,” she said. The villagers have formally approached the local MLA and given the government one week to notify and demar cate the zone of influence of Bondvoll Lake. Failure to do so, they warned, will trigger a hunger strike. Domnic Pereira said that while the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department has withdrawn its earlier or der and construction activity near the lake has been put in abeyance, the core issue remains unresolved. “We wel come this order, but our main demand is that the zone of influence should be clearly marked. We do not have any patience left — nor do the villagers. There is no need to fool us. We will wait for a week, and if nothing concrete happens, we will launch a chain hunger strike in front of the church,” he warned. Prominent activist and village resident Arturo D’Souza said the struggle to protect Bondvoll Lake has been ongoing since 2016, exposing what he described as government’s disregard towards environment. “We have been raising this issue for years and creating public awareness. The matter went to the High Court, which clearly directed that there should be no construction within 200 metres of the lake. After the case was disposed of, we immediately submitted a representation to the Wetland Authority,” he said. Calling the situation deeply ironic, D’Souza added, “It is sad that we are celebrating World Wetlands Day while we are fighting to save a wetland. Our fight started in 2016 and is still continuing. If lake water is polluted, it becomes use less. Our rivers are already getting polluted.” He also criticised the Goa State Pollution Control Board, saying, “They speak about noise pollution, but what about water and air pollution? Please do not give us false assur ances. If you can address the issue, do it. Otherwise, be pre pared to face action from the villagers. I urge the Goa State Wetland Authority to protect wetlands and water bodies. This is a serious responsibility, and it must be carried out honourably.
Santa Cruz residents demand notification of Bondvoll lake’s zone of influence
