Team Herald
MARGAO: The locals of Carmona have taken a firm stand to oppose any potential mega projects in their village, while focusing on the protection of the village’s demographic, beauty and existing resources.
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It may be recalled that at a recent gram sabha, the locals resolved to reject projects exceeding ten residential units or ten commercial establishments.
These villagers pointed out that the primary concern driving this resolution was the potential demographic shift such developments could bring. They added that they want to maintain the beauty and tranquility of their village without any high-rise buildings. The villagers have emphasised that projects of such magnitude could strain existing infrastructure, including roads, water supply, and electricity, while potentially impacting eco-sensitive zones like fields, water bodies, and the coastal ecosystem.
This decision assumes significance as there have been other villages on the Salcete coastline that have come out to oppose mega projects such as Betalbatim and Cavelossim, while there have been other protests against mega projects such as in Sancoale, Old Goa, Divar, Reis Magos, etc.
Another matter that is being taken up by the villagers is their plans to expedite the completion of their village development plan as outlined under Article 243ZD of the Indian Constitution. Ward development committees were also urged to be more active.
Article 243ZD, locals added, mandates the formation of district-level planning committees that integrate input from panchayats and municipalities to create comprehensive district development plans covering aspects such as spatial planning, infrastructure, resource management like that of water etc, and environmental conservation. This district-level committee has to consolidate these village-level plans and prepare a draft development plan for the entire district, they added further.
On a related note, the Carmona villagers had also decided to expedite the development plan for their village by completing the remaining portion of data collection for this plan.
The villagers also pointed out that the gram sabha had raised concerns over the non-attendance of officials from key government departments, including the Town and Country Planning Department (TCP), Water Resources Department (WRD, and others, despite repeated invitations.
