Concerns over possible environmen-tal damage and alleged Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations at the Mo-bor-Cavelossim coastal stretch have triggered de bate among local residents, environmental activists and village authorities.
Questions are being raised over activities near one private wedding hall venue, with activists warn-ing that Goa’s fragile coastal ecology cannot be sacri-ficed for development or commercial interests.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
and Environmentalists concerned citizens alleged that any activity affecting sand dunes, coastal vegeta-tion and ecologically sensi-tive areas could have serious long-term consequences for the coastline and marine ecosystem. They maintained that public land and natu-ral coastal resources must
be protected and cannot be altered under the pretext of benefiting commercial es-tablishments or tourism-re-lated activities.
Activists further stated that if any activity violates CRZ norms, it should be treated as environmental exploitation rather than development. They warned that unchecked interfer-ence in coastal zones could adversely impact future generations and weaken the natural protection Goa’s coastal belt offers against erosion and extreme weath-er conditions.
The issue has also brought attention to alleged activities involving a path-way near the venue. Clari-fying the local body’s stand, Dixon Vaz, Cavelossim sar-panch, stated that the mat-ter relates to a pathway and not the construction of a road According to Vaz, the concerned shack owner ap-poached the panchayat with an application seeking ac cess so that movement to the shack area would not disturb activities taking place at the wedding venue..
“The concerned shack owner applied to the panchayat for access so that their movement does not disturb the wedding venue activities. It is not a road but a pathway.” the sarpanch said.
Vaz further clarified that while the panchayat would look into allegations regarding pipes being laid inside the pathway which residents have objected to the village panchayat itself has no direct role in the issue.
The controversy has led to demands for intervention by the government departments concerned and environmen-tal authorities to verify whether all necessary permissions and CRZ clearances are in place. Activists have sought im-mediate inspections and transparency regarding activities being carried out in the sensitive coastal area.
Residents have also expressed concern that any unau thorised activity in the region could disturb the ecological balance and affect the traditional character of the coastal village. They have urged authorities to ensure that envi-ronmental safeguards are strictly followed and that devel-opment activities do not come at the cost of Goa’s natural heritage.
