A section of An juna residents expressed relief and cautious op timism after the Village Panchayat issued a Stop Work Notice and sched uled a site inspection at the controversial prop erty identified as Survey No 41/3, where recent construction activity has sparked concerns over possible violations of coastal zone regulations. The two notices were addressed to Daniel Lobo, son of Siolim MLA Deli lah Lobo. Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, when ques tioned by a section of the media, also acknowledged that the property belongs to his family.
Public anger was first triggered when vegetation at the site was cleared and replaced with mud and stone, fuelling fears of environmental damage in an area officially desig nated as a No Development Zone (NDZ). Documents accessed by O Heraldo through a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by an activist revealed that Daniel Lobo had obtained permission from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) to construct an “anti-sea protection wall” on the site. On 14 October 2024, the Water Resources Department (WRD) issued a Rs 72 lakh work order to a contractor to carry out the con struction. Reacting to the developments, Michael Lobo was quoted by an online portal as saying: “We want to make it clear that we have obtained all necessary permissions, and the work is being carried out under the supervision of the Wa ter Resources Department (WRD), the competent author ity with expertise in the specifications required for such walls. The retaining wall is part of a broader anti-erosion measure extending from our property up to Anjuna, in cluding tourism land, and is essential for safety and envi ronmental protection.” He added: “We have already deposited the required amount with the government for the wall’s construction, and any excess costs will be borne by us. The issue being raised is not about environmental harm, but is clearly po litically motivated. A small group of 20–25 individu-als making noise does not render this work illegal or improp er.” In Anjuna, many locals viewed the Panchayat’s action as a rare and positive step. “The news that the Panchayat has issued a stop work order is encouraging. With so much destruction already happening, I honestly did not expect any intervention from the authorities. But this shows that unity can bring results,” said Anna Fernandes, who stood with youth ac-tivists at the site on Tuesday. The move for official intervention was led by youth lead er Maxi D’Souza, who submitted a letter signed by over 15 residents to the Village Panchayat, questioning how per mission had been granted for construction on ecologically sensitive land. “We waited all day at the Panchayat office yesterday, but when the Deputy Sarpanch didn’t arrive, we returned to day,” said Maxi, holding up copies of the notices. “This Stop Work Notice and the site inspection order are just the be ginning. If we stand together, even the most powerful can not get away with destroying our land.” The Stop Work Notice addressed to Daniel Lobo stat ed: “Whereas this office is in receipt of a complaint dated 21/10/2025 from Maxi D’Souza and other villagers from Vagator, Anjuna and Chapora raising strong objections to the proposed construction of an anti-sea protection wall (misuse of NDZ and heritage landscape) in property bear ing Survey No 41/3 at Anjuna village… you are hereby di rected to stop the construction work immediately on re ceipt of this notice. Failing which, further necessary action shall be initiated as per the law in force.” In a second notice issued under Section 82 of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994, the Panchayat has summoned Daniel Lobo to appear in person or through an authorised representative for a site inspection on 25 October, along with all relevant documents and permissions. Mogambo, a taxi driver from a neighbouring village, voiced a common sentiment among residents: “We didn’t go there because we are against Michael Lobo or his wife. We went because our environment is under threat. What was happening there wasn’t right.
