Team Herald
BICHOLIM: Refuting the statement of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant not to oppose development projects, the villagers of Gaonkarwada, Mayem on Thursday said that they were not opposed to the development project and demanded a long overdue master plan for the village before undertaking any development.
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The villagers said that the establishment of the international law college in Mayem will have a severe negative impact on their traditional religious festivals including jatra, traditional occupations and sacred rituals. The proposed project is close to areas that hold significant religious and cultural importance. The construction and activities of the University may interfere with these sacred spaces affecting the sanctity of their festivals and religious practices.
The villagers said that most of them depend on agriculture for their livelihood and feared that the project could threaten the fertile land and water resources. Many families are engaged in cashew plantation for decades and feared that the villagers would be displaced if the project is allowed.
The Mayem-Vaiguinim during its gram sabha had already passed a resolution opposing the project thereby reflecting the collective will of the people, appealed to the government to prevent any development that could disrupt their religious practices.
The villagers demanded that the government should reconsider the location of the international law college and explore alternative sites outside the Mayem-Vaiguinim village and help to preserve the age-old traditional and spiritual heritage of the village. The government should also prepare a master plan for the Mayem village before approving any development projects.
