The proposed fish meal plant in Cuncolim has run into fierce resistance, with the Cuncolim Municipal Coun cil (CMC) unanimously rejecting the project fol lowing an outpouring of public anger over health and environmental risks. All 14 councillors voted against the project on Tues day, a decision hailed as a victory by residents, civil society and environmen tal activists.
The resolution will now be forwarded to the State government. The project had stirred out rage over fears of foul odour, pollution, and hazardous waste. Adding fuel to the an ger were revelations that one of the company’s directors was previously linked to the formalin-in-fish scandal that rocked Goa. “We will not al low the formalin gang to enter Cuncolim under the guise of a fish meal plant,” said local res ident Aviraj Dessai. At the stormy council meet ing, residents turned up in big numbers to voice oppo sition.
Chairperson Landry Mascarenhas underlined the council’s stand. “The council is with the people of Cuncolim and we will not allow projects that endanger the health and livelihood of our citizens,” said Mascarenhas
Villagers pointed to Cuncolim’s past struggles with in dustrial pollution, saying they will not allow history to re peat itself. “The government should stop playing with people’s health. Why should Cuncolim be made a dumping ground for polluting industries?” asked Ankush Dessai. Another resident, Jitu Dessai, warned, “Projects like this will only destroy the environment and force youth to mi grate.
We will not tolerate it.” With the formalin connection deepening mistrust, villag ers have pledged to resist any back-door attempt to revive the project. The council’s resolution has now thrown the ball squarely in the State government’s court, with Cun colim making clear that its people will not back down. Cuncolim MLA Yuri Alemao welcomed the move, calling it “a victory for public health and environmental responsi bility,” while warning the government not to override the council’s decision. “I had previously cautioned the government against pri oritising industries that pose a threat to the health and well-being of our people.
The interests of the community must come before the interests of private players,” he said. He issued a stern warning, stating that if the government chooses to override the democratic will of the people, he would not hesitate to launch an agitation.