Team Herald
MARGAO: The Federation of Rainbow Warriors (FRW) has sounded the alarm over unchecked real estate development threatening Goa’s environment and traditional livelihoods. FRW founder and environmentalist Abhijit Prabhudessai warned that rapid urbanization, deforestation, and water depletion are pushing the state toward collapse.
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“What we are witnessing is the systematic destruction of Goa’s natural heritage,” Prabhudessai said. “Large-scale real estate projects are being approved without regard for the environment or local communities.”
Goa’s hills, coastal areas, and farmland are being converted into luxury apartments, gated communities, and resorts. “Regional plans meant to regulate land use are being manipulated to show settlement zones in ecologically sensitive areas,” Prabhudessai said.
A key concern is the absence of scientific studies to assess environmental damage. “We have no comprehensive data on forest loss, water depletion, or displacement. The scientific community remains silent, and the government is uninterested,” he stated.
Environmentalists also warn of biodiversity loss. “Goa’s unique species are disappearing as forests and water recharge areas are destroyed,” said one activist. “Ecosystems are collapsing, and the effects will be felt for generations.”
FRW has been at the forefront of protests against large-scale projects in Kadamba Plateau, Bardez, and Salcete, areas now being transformed into concrete jungles. “Local communities are fighting to protect their land, but their voices are ignored,” Prabhudessai said. “The govt prioritizes real estate developers over its own people.”
The depletion of water resources is among the most pressing issues. “Goa was once self-sufficient in water, but reckless destruction of hills and recharge zones has disrupted natural water flow. Springs are drying up, and rivers are polluted. If this continues, a severe water crisis is inevitable,” he warned.
Prabhudessai also criticized the govt’s climate policies. “The State Action Plan for Climate Change states that 50% of Goa is at risk from floods and rising sea levels, yet construction continues in flood-prone areas. This is a disaster in the making.”
Traditional livelihoods are also at risk. “Sustainable khazan farming is being replaced by real estate projects, and fishermen are losing access to their traditional grounds,” he said.
