The joint inspection report of the entire Toyyar Lake wetland at Chimbel could not be finalised or signed on Saturday after a delegation of villagers strongly objected to the creation of two separate catchment areas and the inclusion of the proposed Unity Mall and Prashashan Stambh projects within one of those catchments.
Villagers also raised serious concerns over the absence of experts and hydrologists from the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Dona Paula, who were expected to be present during the finalisation of the inspection reports. Their absence, villagers said, undermined the credibility of the exercise, especially as the NIO had earlier prepared two conflicting reports on the wetland.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee chairman Govind Shirodkar said that discussions remained inconclusive primarily due to the arbitrary division of the wetland into two catchment areas. According to him, Catchment A included the controversial Unity Mall and Prashashan Stambh projects, while Catchment B encompassed the entire Toyyar Lake. He maintained that such a division was unacceptable.
“A catchment is a catchment. It cannot be artificially divided. We strongly objected to the creation of two catchment areas,” Shirodkar said, adding that the absence of NIO experts further stalled the process.
He also pointed out that officials from the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), who were present were not hydrologists and lacked the technical expertise required to address the villagers’ concerns.
Shirodkar said GTDC officials later informed the villagers that another meeting would be convened next week.
Chimbel villager Ajay Kholkar said he was unable to attend the meeting but expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from the State government.
He recalled that the government had earlier announced plans to relocate both projects from Chimbel, but no final decision had been taken so far.
He said, “Seven-day ultimatum given by the villagers to the State government to scrap both projects ends on Sunday. Villagers will meet on Sunday to decide the next phase of agitation.”
Meanwhile, Chimbel villagers have decided to seek an appointment with the Chief Secretary on Monday, February 9, followed by a meeting with the Governor.
The ongoing agitation against the projects entered its 35th day on Saturday, with villagers vowing to intensify their protest if their demands are not addressed.
