Residents of Chimbel, joined by social activ ists from across the state, staged a protest rally on Sunday opposing two con troversial development projects: a mall at Chimbel and the 17-storey structure at Kadamba Plateau. The projects, planned near the eco-sensitive Toyyar Lake, have sparked widespread concern over environmen tal degradation and lack of public consultation. The residents demanded the immediate scrapping of both projects and called on the government to respect local sentiments and protect the region’s ecological and cultural heritage. The rally began in the heart of Chimbel village, where locals marched with banners and raised slo gans denouncing what they called “unwanted mega-pro jects”. Protesters accused the government of pushing urban development at the cost of ecology, community livelihood, and cultural her itage. Villagers expressed alarm that both projects threaten Toyyar Lake, a notified wet land and one of the region’s oldest water bodies. Locals fear the construction will deplete natural aquifers, damage the lake’s ecosys tem, and contaminate water sources with sewage. They are demanding the creation of a biodiversity park at the site instead of large-scale commercial development. “We do not want the mall because there are many aq uifers in the village,” said Deres Gonsalves, a local college student. “If the mall is built, the aquifers will be destroyed, and there will be no natural absorption of rainwater. There is also a risk of sewage from the mall contaminating the water.” Gonsalves also highlight ed the historical importance of Chimbel Lake, which once supplied water to Panjim during Portuguese rule. The protest drew partic ipation from several politi cal and civil society leaders, who voiced support for the villagers and condemned the government’s develop ment approach. AAP Goa President Amit Palekar said the government should prioritise local needs, proposing a small market for farmers instead of a mall. “After destroying Panjim and Porvorim, the government is now hell-bent on destroying Chimbel,” he alleged. Adv Pratima Coutinho questioned the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department’s approval of the projects despite strong local opposition. St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar criti cised the BJP government, saying, “They talk of self-de pendence but promote de velopment that destroys the state’s cultural and ecolog ical fabric.” Social activist Ramrao Wagh alleged a “big conspiracy” behind the pro posed mall, claiming polit ical interests are at play. “If this kind of destruction con tinues, future generations will face issues of sanitation and water,” he warned.
St Cruz Congress Block President John Nazareth decried what he termed the “Delhiwalas’ takeover of Goa” and con demned the alleged assault on activist Rama Kankonkar, calling for unity in continued resistance. Congress leader Ramkrishna Jalmi emphasised the re gion’s biodiversity, accusing politicians of prioritizing prof it over preservation. Protesters also raised concerns over the lack of public consultation, stating that villagers were not taken into con fidence before the projects were approved. The Chimbel Panchayat has already passed a resolution opposing both projects, but the government has reportedly ignored this decision. “We will not stand by while the natural and cultural identity of Chimbel is compromised,” said one protestor. “This is our land, our lake, and our future.” The large turnout at the rally reflected growing frustra tion among locals over what they see as unchecked urban isation, threatening both the environment and traditional village life.
