The latest Gram Sabha meeting in Calangute marked a significant shift in the village's approach to development and environmental management, as members unanimously passed a resolution allowing residents to voluntarily remove parts of their roadside structures in line with High Court directives. The move aims to curb encroachments and support more organised, sustainable development in the area.
The meeting featured a robust agenda, reflecting growing community concerns over Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) violations, chronic sewage system failures, and the environmental impact of casinos and the rising migrant labour population.
Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira praised the efforts of the Goa Foundation and the Calangute Citizens Forum for their successful legal challenge to the Outline Development Plan (ODP), describing it as a turning point that has empowered the panchayat to take stronger action on governance and environmental issues.
Among the key outcomes was the panchayat’s pledge to act against CRZ offenders and tackle well water contamination in Gaurawaddo, allegedly caused by sewage tankers dumping waste near the Solid Waste Management Plant. Officials believe this proactive approach will help reduce health risks and restore public trust in local infrastructure.
Environmental concerns dominated the session, with speakers warning about the ongoing destruction of sand dunes and beach vegetation. Premanand Diukar cautioned that such damage threatens both human safety and the coastal ecosystem. In response, the panchayat resolved to regulate the operation of SPAs, restricting licenses to branded establishments and hotels that meet defined standards—a move that drew support from residents seeking higher quality and safety norms in the tourism sector.