PANJIM: Villagers of Chimbel on Monday issued a seven-day ultimatum to the BJP government, de manding that the contro versial Unity Mall and Pra shasan Stambh projects proposed in the village be scrapped or relocated, warning of an escalation of their agitation if the gov ernment fails to act. The villagers demanded that the State Cabinet, at its very next meeting, take a clear decision on the projects and restore the land identified for them to its original status and condition. They further insisted that the Cabinet decision be published in the Official Gazette, mak ing it legally and adminis tratively binding. Citing the ecological sensitivity of the area sur rounding Toyyar Lake, the villagers also demanded that the government re-no tify the area accordingly and place the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of both projects in the public domain to ensure transpar ency and accountability. The villagers asserted that their demands are lawful and in the larger public interest, pointing to serious environmental concerns, procedural irregularities in the approval of the projects. On the 37th day of their ongoing hunger strike, Chim bel villagers on Monday observed World Wetlands Day at Toyyar Lake, reaffirming their commitment to protecting the fragile wetland ecosystem. The gathering underlined the ecological importance of the lake and its surrounding areas, warning that large-scale construction in such zones poses serious risks to water bodies, wildlife and the liveli hoods of local residents. The villagers cautioned that if the government fails to meet their demands within the stipulated one-week peri od, they will intensify their agitation through democratic and constitutional means. Community leaders declared that the people of Chimbel — including adivasis and tra ditional villagers — are united and determined to protect their land, environment and rights. The ultimatum comes even as the Department of Tour ism last week decided to shift both projects to an alterna tive site away from Chimbel village, with a notification to this effect to be issued by the Goa State Wetland Authority. However, villagers insist that only a formal Cabinet deci sion, backed by a gazette notification, will provide lasting protection to Toyyar Lake and end the uncertainty sur rounding the projects.
Chimbel villagers demand cabinet decision to protect Toyyar lake
