Residents of Chimbel on Sunday launched a hunger strike at the proposed site of the Tourism Depart ment’s ‘Unity Mall’ and ‘Prashasan Stambh’ pro jects, alleging violations of court orders and rais ing concerns over the ecological impact on the historic Toyyar Lake and surrounding wetlands. The villagers claim that construction activity has commenced despite a stay granted by the Sessions Court, Panjim which or dered status quo at the site until January 8, 2026.
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Protesters alleged that permissions were granted by au thorities and the local panchayat even while the court or der was in force. Opposition to the project has been consistent, residents said, pointing out that the Chimbel gram sabha had earlier passed resolutions rejecting the proposed developments. Protesters fear the projects will irreversibly damage wet lands, disrupt local livelihoods, and threaten Toyyar Lake, a water body of historical significance that once supplied water to Panjim. The residents have vowed to intensify their agitation and continue the hunger strike until all work at the site is halt ed and court orders are strictly adhered to. Speaking at the protest site, GovindShirodkar, Chairman of the Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee and Wetland Toyyar Lake Committee, demanded that all per missions granted for the Unity Mall and PrashasanStambh be withdrawn. “We do not require these projects. They will destroy the environment and ecology of the area. Our village has already been badly affected due to Indira Nagar. The gov ernment keeps promising employment, but such assuranc es mean nothing when the cost is environmental destruc tion,” Shirodkar said. He also demanded that the projects be scrapped, similar to the earlier decision to cancel the IT park proposal. Shirodkar announced that the hunger strike would con tinue till January 3, 2026, followed by a large public meet ing on January 4 to mobilise wider support from Chimbel residents. Ajay Kholkar, another villager, said the hunger strike would be observed daily from 10 am to 5 pm until January 3. “We have taken this step because the government has not listened to us. Our clear demand is that both projects be scrapped immediately,” he said. ReghanaKunkalkar highlighted the continued depend ence of locals on Toyyar Lake. “Even today, people use lake water for irrigation. I fail to understand why the govern ment is targeting communities living in harmony with na ture,” she said. Sanjay Sawant recalled the ecological degradation of the Kadamba plateau. “There was a time when cashew planta tions covered this area. Today, unchecked construction has replaced green cover. If this destruction continues, where will residents get clean air from?” he asked. PandurangShirodkar described the lake and surround ing water bodies as a legacy left by ancestors. “These natural resources must be protected, not sacrificed,” he said.
Mangesh Kuttikar questioned the rationale behind the project. “Do tourists come to Goa to shop in malls or to ex perience its natural beauty? A mall is not required at all,” he said. The proposed Unity Mall and PrashasanStambh projects are part of a Tourism Department initiative aimed at pro moting indigenous products and administrative heritage. However, residents of Chimbel argue that the chosen site falls within a sensitive ecological zone near Toyyar Lake, which is listed as a wetland. Environmental activists have long flagged the area as vulnerable to flooding and biodi versity loss. The matter is currently sub judice, with the Sessions Court directing maintenance of status quo at the site until January 8, 2026.
