PERNEM: The activists and local residents of Pernem are persisting with their objection to the green signal given to Pernem theme park project.
The proposed theme park project in Pernem taluka is facing strong opposition from active locals in the area.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
Voicing their objections, residents concerned of Pernem emphasised their opposition to the project, citing potential environmental harm and lack of benefits for the local population.
Bharat Bagkar, president of the Pernem Citizens Committee, who has been opposing the theme park project, said, “The government is taking the people for granted and forcing such a project.”
“This project has received single window clearance. After Dhargal and Mopa, this will be another project which will destroy Pernem. But people won’t understand this now. They will realise after a number of years, when they will regret supporting the government and elected representatives for this project,” Bagkar said.
Bagkar further added that people need to raise their voice together against this project, like it was done at Bogmalo and Quelossim.
Meanwhile, talking to O Heraldo, Chairperson of Pernem Municipal Council Siddhesh Pednekar said, “The council has unanimously decided to give green signal for this project. The officials of IPB during its meeting with the Council have explained it is just a garden project, where replicas of monuments will be kept. Also, the project will generate revenue for the municipality,” Pednekar said.
However, Chairperson Pendekar also said that if this project has any inclusion of casino or any such project which is going to harm the people, the environment and culture of Pernem, then the Council will strongly object to the same.
“So far as per the communication we have received, it’s only a garden project and does not include any casino or any sort of other activities”, Pednekar said.
Pednekar also said that the municipality is not going to provide any electricity, water for this project and has demanded employment for the locals.
“We have a strong demand that all the employment that is going to generate here has to be given to the locals and we are not going to compromise on the same,” Pednekar said.
As per the information obtained from sources, the concept of this project shall have various states of culture, cuisine, dancing, etc.
In the proposed park, miniature replicas of India’s historical and cultural landmarks would be on display which will be made out of an eco-friendly material, and of varying sizes. There will be around 80 popular monuments which will be made from eco-friendly material, in miniature form, like Taj Mahal Outub Minar, Charminar, India Gate, Turkish Gate, Gateway of India, Jama Masjid, Golden Temple, Humayun Tomb, Basilica of Bom Jesus Church, etc.
As per the plan, the theme park / garden project will be a draw for both foreign and domestic tourists. We anticipate at least three lakh visitors every year, with the project taking 18 months to finish.
As it’s a theme park / garden, there will be no manufacturing activities and hence plant and machinery are not required. The cost of the project shall be Rs 50 crore.
“The project is environmentally friendly. Our project will employ approximately 185 people in Goa, including security employees, housekeeping workers, maintenance personnel, artists and performers, kitchen personnel, water sports professionals, site / corporate office personnel to oversee the project, and so on,” Pednekar said.
