For the last several years, development works like road widening, footpaths, drainages, etc. have been undertaken in the coastal villages of Calangute as well as other parts of Goa. The State government and MLAs/ministers have claimed that the works are in the interest of Goans, but how far it has benefitted the locals needs to be ascertained. At few places, footpaths which were constructed with public funds were unused for several years. They had to be removed and done again, thus wasting public funds. Similarly, Goans were forced to give up their land for the road-widening project of the government, causing anger amongst the peace-loving locals. But it appears the land has not been put to good use, looking at the many illegalities on the widened roads of Goa. The environment was and is being destroyed in the name of development. Hundreds of coconut and other trees are felled, especially in the coastal villages of Calangute and surrounding areas. The Forest Department, which otherwise is everwilling to punish locals for felling trees, remained mum while the government was cutting trees. The department otherwise directs the locals to plant two trees as replacement for a cut tree, turned a blind eye to the destruction of nature in the name of development. Recently, Verla-Canca Sarpanch Milton Marques had assured to plant ten coconut trees for a single coconut tree cut along the Parra-Canca-Mapusa route. He was speaking at the inaugural event of the Parra beautification project, which has led to felling of hundreds of coconut trees along the Canca-Mapusa route. Whether he keeps his word is yet to be seen in the days. The students of school and colleges in Mapusa have been critical of the destruction of nature in the name of development. A college student said, “What are they trying to do by cutting huge trees all along the road, which provided some sort of relief to pedestrians and others? We are told to plant more and more trees by the very government that is today causing the destruction of nature. Are we witnessing a revolution for ‘Green Goa’ by felling more and more trees?” John D’Souza, a local, stated, “The government has been spending a lot of money on road widening and footpaths for free movement of traffic and safety of locals, but how does it benefit us when we find beggars sitting on the footpaths, and that too in presence of police? If the footpaths or road widening was meant for beggars and illegal encroachments, then why are Goans being forced to give up their land? We, Goans are not allowed to encroach on roads, but non- Goans are even permitted to construct their dwellings on the edge of the road. Does this mean that we have no value in our own land and our beautiful Goa is being sold to non-Goans and builders?” When asked about the encroachments on land given by locals, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo said, “I will ask for detailed verification of similar illegalities and carry out demolitions after following due process.” Former Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes said, “Goans are forced to give up their land and cut trees by threats and other tactics without any compensation. We want wider roads, but not at the expense of Goans, who are made to cry due to demolition of their compound walls or structures. The widened roads in the coastal villages of Calangute mostly benefit hoteliers and non-Goans. The present road widening project from Mapusa to Parra is also a big scam-in-themaking of the BJP government and is not for the benefit of locals.”
