Team Herald
PONDA: Villagers from Cuncoliem in Veling Priol Cuncoliem Panchayat have called for government intervention to protect their village orchard land from proposed development for a mega project. The community is particularly concerned about advertisements circulated by builders offering plots in an area designated as a no-development zone.
The issue is expected to be discussed at the upcoming Gram Sabha meeting on Sunday, October 20.
In a tit-for-tat, to protest against the proposed mega project in the village, the locals of Veling-Priol-Cuncoliem Panchayat displayed a notice that their village is not for sale and pledged to protect it from destruction. The notice followed an advertisement by a builder regarding the sale of 150 plots by developing the Bagayat land for a residential project. They warned the government about land conversion in the village in the near future, asking it to not grant any permission.
Locals fear that the proposed development of 150 plots could lead to significant environmental issues, including increased garbage, and water scarcity and effectively transforming Cuncoliem into another urban sprawl. In response, villagers have proposed eco-tourism initiatives to preserve their village identity and agricultural heritage.
A delegation of villagers recently met with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, alongwith local MLA and Minister for Art and Culture Govind Gaude and Sarpanch Harsha Gaude, to present a memorandum outlining their concerns. The document, addressed to the Governor of Goa and TCP Minister amongst others, highlights the potential threats to the environment and local demographics posed by the development of approximately 1 lakh square metres of orchard land.
The villagers expressed their commitment to eco-tourism, arguing that the proposed development would undermine their aspirations and lead to increased waste management issues. Following the submission of their representation, officials from the South Goa Collector's Office conducted an inspection of the site.
In a show of solidarity, villagers have also erected signs urging potential buyers to refrain from purchasing plots in the orchard, emphasising the importance of agriculture to their livelihoods.