Describing the proposed hotel project as ‘a direct attack on Varca’s en vironment, resources, and Goenkarponn’, a group of locals has filed a complaint with the village panchayat demanding the revocation of the construction licence granted to the project. A delegation led by local leader and social activist Warren Alemao met sar panch Flavia Barretto on Monday and deliberated on the issue. Calling for stronger safe guards against unregulat ed construction in ecolog ically-sensitive zones, the villagers outlined several grounds for revocation, in cluding alleged violations of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms, overstretch ing the carrying capacity of the village, threats to local water resources, and traffic congestion and road safety hazards. Other con cerns include the disrup tion of natural drainage systems, inadequate waste management, negative im pacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, socio-cultur al disruption, and proce dural irregularities in the approval process.
The locals urged the panchayat to constitute a multi-disciplinary in spection team comprising representatives from the panchayat, Town and Coun try Planning Department, Goa Coastal Zone Manage ment Authority, Goa State Pollution Control Board, Public Works Department, Water Resources Depart ment, and residents of Var ca for a detailed on-ground inspection. “This is not just about one project — it is about the fu ture of Varca, the future of Salcete, and the future of Goa,” they stated, stressing the need for sustainable and community-friendly development. Supporting the demand, Alemao said, “Varca has reached a tipping point.
We cannot allow projects that disregard environmental norms and threaten our ba sic resources. Development must happen, but it has to be in harmony with our land, our people, and our future. If we stay silent now, we will lose the very identity that makes our village unique.” The panchayat is expect ed to take up the matter in its upcoming meeting, while villagers and local ac tivists are preparing to rally around the demand for rev ocation.