Geomkarponn desk
CALANGUTE: The Calangute constituency may be one of the most popular tourist destinations globally, but it has also borne the brunt of being a most-sought destination.
The unplanned development, the influx of migrants, illegal businesses have almost destroyed the identity of the Calangute constituency.
The Calangute Constituency Forum led by Premanand Diukar has written to all four panchayats – Calangute, Candolim, Arpora and Parra- over the village planning and development of basic infrastructure.
“In view of the above subject, we would like to place before you the issues of the Village as listed below, which need your kind attention and immediate action to resolve the same,” said the CCF members Premanand Diukar – President, Kevin Silveira – Jt. Secretary, Cruz Silveira – VP, Clotildes Braganca – PRO, Sapnesh Vaigankar – Treasurer, Agnelo Barreto – Advisor, Lawrenco Silveira – Ex. Member, Jose Braganza – Ex. Member.
Following is teh excerpts of the letter:
Land filling of low lying or Agriculture areas:
Huge landfilling is going on within the jurisdiction of Village Panchayat either with the consent of the authority or illegally. Panchayats are also aware that such rampant landfilling is not in the interest of the Village Environment. Despite knowing the ground reality, the local panchayats failed to act in accordance with the law and as per the guidelines of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act 1994. Therefore we, as a responsible NGO of Calangute Constituency, file our strong objection against such illegal activities of landfilling and request you to survey the areas within your jurisdiction and stop all such landfilling from taking place. We further request your office not to issue any NOC/Permission to illegal structures which mushroomed along the roadside after filling low lying areas or agriculture fields and further demand to revoke all the NOC/Permission granted to such structures.
b. Protection of Hills and areas with Hill Natural cover:
Maintaining and preserving the Village Environment is the utmost priority of the local Village Panchayat. With the able leadership of the Sarpanch and the elected representatives, these areas could be retained untouched as natural cover. However, we see the destruction of Hills in the name of the development of Projects due to a haphazard way of planning. Authorities are overlooking the issues of the Village Environment in clearing such Projects. Our next generation will have to face the fury of nature, which will be more destructive of human life than nature itself.
Protection of Coastal Area:
Sand dunes are said to be the first line of defence during a tsunami or any natural calamities, and we, without giving serious thought to it, try to destroy for our personal greed. Calangute Constituency Forum has filed suggestions and Objections during the hearing of CZMP 2011 in consultation with like-minded people of Calangute Constituency and argued with the authority to consider our suggestions and objections in the interest of our villages.
But we regret to state that our local Panchayat has not placed any objections and suggestions in the interest of our Village and the protection of the village coastline.
Adhering the said guidelines, local panchayat authority should refrain from issuing any such NOC’s or Permission or Trade Licence to the Temporary Huts/Cottages that come under NDZ area and fall within 200 Mtrs of HTL.
Planning and Development of Village basic infrastructure:
Recently notified ODP2025 of Calangute and Candolim has many discrepancies, and same was highlighted by us to the authorities. Similarly, the ODP of Arpora/Nagoa and Parra has prepared on the same line of Calangute/Candolim, which also has many discrepancies where the planning is not done using a positive mind frame in the interest of the Village environment. Presently every Village of Calangute Constituency, especially coastal areas, faces an acute shortage of Drinking water and Electricity Power supply.
Law and Order:
Day by day law and order situation in our constituency is becoming worst, and local villagers have to suffer due to the inefficiency of the Police authority to control the situation and crimes. There are so many crimes that occur every day -3- within the jurisdiction of Calangute Police station. We believe that it may be due to the local authority’s illegal businesses and unplanned licencing policies. Our coastal area has become a hub for every illegal business, whether Prostitution, Drugs, Massage Parlours, Tattoo shops, Touts roaming around, Beggars, hawkers, Beach Masseurs, Child trafficking etc. At the same time, crimes like robberies, murders, assault, threats, rapes etc., are at their peak.
Policy of sustainable development:
At present, the planning authority and the local bodies are more focused on the policy of vertical development rather than sustainable development. One should keep in mind that such policies will damage the fabric of our village environment and will further disturb the peace and tranquillity of surrounding nature. We therefore request that the policy of sustainable development shall be maintained and followed in planning the Village.
Health and Sanitation:
This area need to be addressed as the top priority as we learnt a lot during the current pandemic situation in the State and worldwide. In our villages, issues of health and sanitation are not in place. Several diseases like Dengue, Malaria, etc. spread quickly that needs to be controlled with timely initiative and programmes on cleanliness and awareness. It looks that the health committee appointed by the Health Ministry of Goa do not understand their responsibilities and duties.
Road Traffic Safety:
Today every local or traveller faces the hardship of moving around due to bad conditions of the road. In some areas of the constituency, road conditions are so bad that the rider’s safety is under threat for their life. Many locals and even tourist lost their lives in road accidents in our coastal areas. But JICA project in Calangute, which was started in 2013 still going in its own pace to create further damage to the existing road and increase the threat to individual life.
Sound Pollution and Stray cattle/dog menace:
These two factors are the nuisance value to the tourism sector within the coastal areas. Although the law in both cases is in order, the relevant authorities fail to initiate any action in this regard. Some Village panchayats tried to resolve the stray cattle and dog menace issue in association with other organisations but could not yield the required results to keep the cattle and dogs away from the streets. Sound pollution, you will find many violators in the coastal areas even though there is a strict order from the authority.
Other Major Issues:
Few issues need to be addressed and sought the local authority’s intervention; one such issue is the withdrawal of the Port Bill for the State jurisdiction of Goa. This Port Bill will be the biggest setback to the rivers and sea within port limits and whereas the local authority and State Administration will lose control over such areas. Local Panchayats of Calangute Constituency should come together to oppose this Port Bill in the interest of the Village and Villagers. Secondly, Village Panchayat of Candolim should come forward with the solid objection to the privatisation of Aguada jail and demand to restore it as a heritage site to respect the sacrifices made by brave freedom fighters of Goa. Similarly, it has to be given the name of one of the freedom fighters from Calangute Constituency who sacrificed his life for the Goa Liberation movement.
