Pernem is a taluka where it is difficult to find basic material comforts but the beauty of Pernem has always satisfied the hearts of the people.
However, of late the taluka has seen some hectic illegal development activities resulting in wholesale destruction of this natural beauty causing concerns to Pernem and forcing them to raise their voices.
This taluka was under developed for decades but suddenly now the Government is coming up with developmental projects.
But is this kind of development really needed by the people of Pernem? Are the projects going to benefit the people? Why should the precious land be wasted for development which is not required? These are some questions crossing the minds of Pernem people.
People want to know whether these developments are going to generate employment. Why doesn’t the government look into the shortage of water or the hardships people face due to inadequate transport system, they ask.
The foundation stone for the Tiracol bridge between Querim beach and Tiracol river was laid on February 25, 2014.
The bridge is estimated to cost Rs 77 crore and it is designed by a Singapore agency which is recruited by the Golf Resort.
This development project of Goa Government across the Tiracol river will connect the two sides but will only be beneficial for the upcoming 7-star resorts and golf course. The construction work is on hold for the time being.
President of Pernem Swabhimani Devendra Prabhudesai said, “In the name of development the Government is coming up with unnecessary projects. Why the people need a bridge at Querim when there is a bridge just 3 km ahead. The Aronda bridge helps people to travel from Goa to Maharashtra and not only the bridge but even the ferry facility is also available at Querim which helps the people to travel from Querim to Tiracol.”
However, there is another side to the story. Some are opposing the bridge.
“The Querim people want the bridge, but stoppage for it is created by the people of Tiracol. It will make easy for the people to travel from Querim to Maharashtra,” locals said.
“Two or three times the ferry has lost its control and has gone off the route. The bridge will be more effective,” other locals said.
The Four Seasons Resorts & Golf Club Goa Luxury Resorts at Tiracol is an Rs 1300 crores project and the owners are pushing for the construction of Tiracol bridge. The company has bought 90 per cent of the land available in Tiracol and other 10 per cent has the settlement of the villagers.
The area on which the Golf Course is coming up has thick forest and is tenanted agricultural area, as reported in the Sandip Jacques report.
Sources said that this project will have very bad effect on the environment as well as livelihood of the villagers.
The fishing activities, the farmers, the forest, plantations and the water springs will be destroyed.
Around 19000 plants and trees are in danger. Along with this, the company will be installing 17 bore wells in the property.
The project is located at the upper most part and the village is below which will be facing the problem of water scarcity.
The project will require 1250 cubic metres of water per day and also need high chemical fertilizers to maintain the grass of the Golf Course.
There’s no chance of creating employment in any way because golf is a game of elite people which the local people will not be able to cater for, say locals.
The fertilizers used for this grass will enter the ground water which will affect the health of the people and other living beings.
However, the voices on the other side say the project will convert Tiracol into a modern village with 24/7 Power Supply, Solar Power Street Lighting, Schools, Health Centre, Municipal Services, Emergency sites, Banks and other essential services. 10,000 to 20,000 saplings of trees will be planted. Ex Zilla Panchayat member Deepak Kalangutkar said, “Those who oppose the project questioning the offer of jobs for locals should study the project in details and act only then.”
“Rainwater harvesting will be taken up in order to meet the water requirements along with water recycling technologies. This project will generate revenue for the Goa Government. The Golf Course especially will allow the resorts to charge premium and the clients that are going to be catered are elite corporates,” says Kalangutkar.
