Team Herald
MARGAO: In a show of unity against a proposed Film City project, the Loliem-Polem gram sabha demanded the immediate withdrawal of the No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department for the project on the Bhagwati plateau.
The locals demanded that the panchayat act decisively to protect the ecologically sensitive area (ESA) and uphold past resolutions rejecting non-traditional uses of plateau land.
The controversy centers around Survey No. 63/1, where the Film City and allied infrastructure are planned to be developed over 10 lakh sqms of land.
The villagers highlighted that resolutions passed in 2016 and 2023 already prohibited non-traditional uses of the plateau. They described the issuance of the NOC on October 14, 2024, as a breach of these resolutions. Similarly, they condemned the affidavit submitted by the Comunidade of Loliem-Polem as a violation of the community’s rights
and interests.
By a majority vote of 44 to 16, the gram sabha resolved that the panchayat write immediately to relevant authorities, including the TCP Department, the Comunidade, and the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), demanding the cancellation of the NOC and any related lease deeds.
The resolution stated that if the authorities fail to act within 15 days, the panchayat will take the matter to the High Court and other forums for redressal.
The meeting brought to light concerns about the potential ecological and social damage posed by the project. Locals fear the proposed development of amusement parks, hotels, villas, and other infrastructure would disrupt the plateau’s fragile ecosystem, displace the community, and threaten their traditional livelihoods. Environmentalists and activists argued that such projects prioritise profit over people, urging authorities to reconsider
the proposal.
The issue of designating the area as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) was also debated.
A Comunidade member expressed apprehension that the ESA status could impose unnecessary restrictions on villagers’ daily activities. However, environmentalists clarified that the ESA designation would have minimal impact on basic activities, while offering critical protections against large-scale commercial exploitation.
In addition to the project, villagers raised the issue of blocked traditional pathways leading to the seashore. The gram sabha resolved to work with authorities to identify and reopen any obstructed paths, ensuring uninterrupted access for the community. These pathways, essential for locals, have been the subject of past resolutions, but remain unaddressed.
The meeting saw allegations that the gram sabha was deliberately scheduled on a day when many villagers were preoccupied with religious events, such as the feast at Galgibaga church and a temple programme in Maxem. Critics claimed the timing suppressed participation, though
more than 75 members still
attended.
Sarpanch Nisha Chari chaired the meeting, supported by Deputy Sarpanch Chandrakant Sudhir and Secretary Sandeep Desai. Ex-sarpanchas Sachin Naik and Ajay Lolienkar were among the attendees, along with activists and community leaders such as BMC chairperson Manoj Prabhugaonkar, Dennis Fernandes, Prashant Pagi, and Dattaprasad Prabhugaonkar.
The gram sabha also reviewed financial matters, confirming the minutes of the October 27, 2024, meeting and income and expenditure details for the period from October 2024 to January 2025.
Villagers voiced their commitment to taking legal action if their demands were not met, with a clear warning to the TCP Department, the Comunidade, and the ESG. The resolution emphasised that any document or instrument permitting non-traditional uses of the plateau, such as the NOC or a lease deed, would be deemed invalid for violating past resolutions.
Activists reiterated the plateau’s ecological significance, noting its role in preserving local biodiversity and sustaining the community’s agricultural and cultural practices. “This project will destroy the existence of the village,” said activists, urging the authorities to prioritise the long-term interests of Loliem-Polem’s
residents.
The villagers’ stand highlights a broader struggle to balance development and environmental sustainability. With the Bhagwati plateau serving as a lifeline for the local population, they have vowed to protect it from unsustainable ventures that threaten their future.