Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: Alleging mass conversion and environment destruction, Poinguinim Gramsabha demanded mandatory inspection of Galgibaga-Talpona Beach coast for gross CRZ violations at the Turtle Conservation Site in Canacona.
Sundays gramsabha of Poinguinim vehemently discussed the multi-housing projects and other large projects within the Panchayat Area and their impacts upon the environment, local economies and communities.
The members took strong view that nowadays, the multi-dwelling units have started coming up in the village by cutting hills illegally, filling up khazan lands, destroying mangroves, destroying the environment itself, affecting water resources, agriculture, grazing lands taking a heavy toll on other economic and livelihood opportunities of the villagers.
‘These short-term profit driven constructions, displaces local residents, especially those whose rights over land and resources are not recognized. Poinguinim village faces a serious threat of multi-dwelling units/residential complexes/mega commercial projects’ irreversibly destroying the village’, complained villagers enmas.
Real-Estate threats greatly aggravate the Climate Crisis, which threatens coasts with sea level rise and stronger and more frequent storms and floods. ‘State Action Plan for Climate Change for State of Goa” envisages water crises of water resources, while water and electricity supplies, sewage and garbage management, road safety and other essential services are woefully inadequate and compromised at the cost of villagers.
Gram Sabha then unanimously resolved that Poinguinim shall allow only family residences, structures for small businesses, village schools, hospitals and other necessary structures, shall allow limited conversion of agricultural lands to need based and genuine non-agri uses.
The Panchayat is authorised to direct the Chief Town Planner (Planning), Dy. Town Planner, Canacona, Dy Collector & SDO, Canacona and The Collector & DM (South Goa District) to implement resolutions of the Gram Sabha and reject applications that are contrary to this above resolutions, and ensure strict compliance by the said authorities, including approaching the highest courts of our country if necessary.
One member making specific mention questioned sarpanch as to how many tourism trade licenses are issued and the sarpanch informed just three seasonal units are permitted and that too temporary structures. One member Savy Barretto stated several structures and that too permanent and concrete constructions have come up and asked the panchayat team to conduct an inspection of the beach coast, particularly because the beach is a forest acquired Turtle Conservation site.
