Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a dramatic turn of events, around 200 residents from Aviao, Marivel Village, and La Marivel Colony gathered near Raj Bhavan to protest a shocking act of environmental destruction unfolding right next to the residence used by Goa’s Forest and Town & Country Planning (TCP) Minister and his MLA wife.
The protest highlighted disturbing details of rampant deforestation in a dense forest area, designated as a green zone in the old Regional Plan and listed as forest cover in the Taleigao Outline Development Plan (ODP).
According to eyewitnesses, laborers and gardeners, allegedly acting on instructions from people associated with the Minister’s bungalow, were seen actively clearing the forest. In a blatant attempt to hide the damage, they planted new trees to create a misleading green boundary. Adding to the outrage, a new, swanky road has replaced a traditional forest path.
This road, built to the highest European standards—with perfect paving, bright lighting, clear signage, and immaculate road markings—leads only to the Minister’s house. The rest of the path, which used to connect to the village, has been completely blocked off, while other roads across Goa remain in poor condition, marked by potholes and lack of basic infrastructure
The Aviao protest is part of a broader movement across Goa against large-scale developments spearheaded by powerful builders like Bhutani Infra and DLF. Similar protests have erupted in Chicalim, Loutolim, Bambolim, Old Goa, Mandrem, and Sancoale, where communities are fighting to protect their land and resources from massive projects that threaten the state’s ecological balance.
For instance, in Sancoale, residents have been rallying against Bhutani Infra’s proposed 700-villa development, fearing its impact on water resources and fragile ecosystems.
The deforestation near Raj Bhavan, right in the heart of Goa and just meters from the Governor’s residence, has sent shockwaves through the state. The fact that this destruction is happening so brazenly, with luxury infrastructure built at the expense of nature while other Goan roads remain in disrepair, raises grave ethical and legal questions.
The defiant stand by the villagers, supported by determined activists and spearheaded by Coelho, sends a clear message: the people of Goa will not remain silent in the face of environmental destruction, and even those in the highest offices must be held accountable.
