The residents of Tiracol have lived for generations in harmony with their surroundings and have co-existed with nature taking only what is required.
Tiracol is one of the few remaining untouched locations in Pernem. From atop the fort, we can see the panoramic landscape – blue sea and the hills. This little bit of paradise is under threat and will disappear, if ‘Leading Hotels’ has its way.
Leading Hotels has a “vision” for Tiracol that boasts of development and progress and making it a “world site”. It markets this vision by projecting an image of a “charming little village” with 200 residents who they would like us to believe will not be affected by the project.
Leading Hotels is claiming to provide at their own cost amenities to the residents of Tiracol such as electricity, garbage collection, clean water etc. Aren’t these basic amenities to be provided by the government and is it not the right of the residents to these amenities?
The people of Goa have been resisting projects which result in destruction, but their voices seem to be falling on deaf ears. Their wishes are ignored by the elected ones.
As for the tourism angle and development of Tiracol and Goa, non-development of Tiracol is the biggest and most valuable tourist attraction it has to offer. If tourism was really the intention it could be achieved in an eco-friendly manner which protects the natural beauty of Tiracol with the help of the residents of Tiracol who can undoubtedly guide tourists to the best and most scenic spots, arrange fishing trips, picnics for families, nature walks etc.
But Leading Hotels is obviously not interested in the local people or the biodiversity and beauty of Tiracol but intends Tiracol to be an elitists’ getaway.
