In the village panchayat of Loliem in Canacona taluka, at the Polem beach front, various illegal construction activities have been flourishing with sever violations to the law of the land.
To put things in perspective, we would like to draw the attention of authrorities that in areas with survey numbers 312/1 and 313/10 massive, unauthorized and illegal construction project of 15 to18 permanent structures, replicating shacks with 5-star facilities have been built in blatant violation of CRZ regulations, causing enormous environmental damage on the beach front.
Alert and responsible villagers foreseeing possible back-door entry of drugs and prostitution through these shacks and structures, fearing youngsters and school-going children could fall easy prey to available drugs, have decided to object to these mushrooming illegalities.
Besides, this will bring bad reputation to our village.
Sensing the danger and illegalities involved, environmentalists, social activists and nominated team members from the Polem village including Anand Naik, Deepak Pagi, Mukesh Naik, Ulhas Raikar, Ratnakar Naik, Prassana Pagi, along with other alert citizens of the area – Muna, Yvonne, Pio, Francisco, Santana, Ankush, Uday, Virendra Naik, Prakash Naik, Xavier, Ramakant, Ram, and scores of other villagers have joined hands in campaigning against the controversial construction of these illegal and unauthorized structures and shacks and forwarded signed complaints to various government departments, requesting their immediate intervention and action.
In addition, to serve their own benefits the managers of these structures, displaying high-handedness have put up an iron gate, restricting the entry to the beach for villagers and members of the fishermen community through traditional pathway and foot-bridge.
We have also objected to this move, which has blocked the passage we have been using for centuries.
The alert and responsible citizens want the authorities to take swift action against those involved and want the respective government departments put an end to this unauthorized shack business at Polem beach without any further delay.
We also advise the disconnection of electricity and water supply to these illegal shacks and also initiate action to demolish them immediately.
We hope the respective departments will listen.
