PANJIM: Due to the proposed Unity Mall at Kadamba Plateau, it is feared that there will be large scale destruction of biodiversity. This has infuriated many locals over the possible destruction. In this edition of Street Voices, Herald TV spoke to people on whether Goa requires a Unity Mall for handicrafts when a massive handicrafts head office is coming up in Mala.
The Unity Mall will showcase local products. Are the Taleigao vegetables coming to Panjim Market? No. Are the watermelons from St. Cruz coming to the Panjim Market? No. The beans and chillies grown in Bicholim do not go to the Bicholim market. Why cant you put up a 20 story building where the Handicraft head office is proposed at Mala? Who is stopping the government? You are bent on destroying Goan land. Believe me on not, if you build the mall at Chimbel plateau, a Wayanad like situation will happen in Chimbel village. All the medicinal plants will be destroyed. Their dirt and waste will flow into the village. Water will be destroyed.
Tanoj Adwalpalkar, Social Activist
It is wrong to select his place for Unity Mall. The water of the Chimbel lake was supplied to Panjim during the Portuguese regime. We also have our field where we earn our livelihood. The plateau is rich in biodiversity. We opposed the IT project and the PIL is still pending in the court. They gave us the relief that in case the government comes up with anything they can approach the court. Some person came here and started clearing the bushes. I went up to the engineer and asked what was happening. He told me the Unity Mall was proposed here. Why do you want to put up a mall here? When your handicraft building is coming up at Mala, why do you want to put up a mall here.
Govind Shirodkar, Chairman, Bio Diversity Committee, Chimbel
The central project of Unity Mall in each state is not a problem. How much is the existing flow of people in the existing malls? Do people frequent these malls? The Unity Mall is proposed at the previous proposed location of IT Park at Chimbel. The locals have opposed the IT Park and it was scrapped. It was opposed and scrapped due to the devastating effects it would have on the environment, the Chimbel lake and the lives of the people. This project too will be opposed. Previously, government had acquired the (Zuari) land at 25 paise and now it is given to the builders. What kind of logic is this?
Mariano Ferrao, Social Activist