Team Herald
MARGAO: Over 100 villagers who had gathered for the Gram Sabha at Carmona on Sunday unanimously resolved against an application to convert paddy fields, water bodies and mangroves coming under Eco 1 territory to eco-tourism and directed the panchayat to send copies of the resolution to all the people concerned.
The villagers argued that conversion of around 10,000 sq mts of land is in total violation of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act as the villagers had after much study prepared the Regional Plan 2021 in which the said area has been marked as eco-sensitive area as it has mangroves, paddy fields and water bodies.
While stating that the conversion was in total violation of the plans prepared by the villagers they said it was not only anti-people but also contrary to the studied decision of the people and further said the conversion will put the villagers’ lives at high risk in future as the reservoirs to hold recess water during the monsoons will be destroyed.
Besides destroying the scenic beauty of River Sal, the conversion will also destroy the natural habitat of birds, animals and mangroves, said the villagers who further pointed out that the project will further pollute the already polluted River Sal.
They pointed out that the river is polluted by sewage in Margao, Navelim and Cuncolim due to which locals no longer eat fish caught in the river and have stopped bathing in it and said if the project is allowed it will add to the pollution of the river.
Besides asserting that the ground water will be contaminated if the conversion is allowed, they also wondered how the application could even be considered by the Town and Country Planning Board given the fact that the land has no access road.
The villagers also questioned the rationale in notifying the conversion when the amendment to the Town and Country Planning Act under which the application is made is challenged in the High Court and is yet to be disposed.
Incidentally while over 100 people were present for the gram sabha, the panchayat has received a memorandum signed by 417 people objecting to the conversion.
