NT Reporter
Panaji
Villagers of Chimbel on Monday withdrew their protest against the proposed Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh after the Tourism Department and the General Administration Department (GAD) gave written assurances to shift both projects away
from the village.
“The Chief Minister called for an immediate meeting as soon as we reached Azad Maidan. I then received a call from the Collector saying that all officers would issue letters and that we were called for discussions. After the meeting with the Collector, within 10 minutes the issue was resolved,” said chairperson of the Chimbel Biodiversity Management Committee and Toyyar Lake Management Committee Govind Shirodkar.
He added, “This is not a victory only for Chimbel village, but for all Goans.”
Senior advocate of the Bombay High Court Norma Alvares said the decision marked a people’s victory achieved through non-violent and legal means. “This is a victory of the people of Chimbel. People sacrificed their food, going on a hunger strike for 44 days, because it mattered to them,” she said, adding that it is a total victory for the women of Chimbel, who were at the forefront of the protest during the Assembly session.
Alvares said that the people have shown that if something is important to them, they have to go to any extent to let the government know. “People have shown that wetlands are important. Wetlands are the lifeline of this land,” she said.
Advocate Melisa Simoes said the outcome marked a victory for the protection of wetlands. “Studies show that by 2051, there will be serious water shortages. This fight is not only for the villagers, but for future generations,” she said. “This is a clear message that people always win in a democracy,” Simoes said.
The letter issued by the GAD stated that the government has decided to relocate the Prashasan Stambh, which was contemplated to be constructed in land bearing Survey No. 40/1 of Chimbel, Tiswadi taluka.
In a separate letter issued on the same day, the Tourism Department said, “It has been decided to shift the Unity Mall project from Sy No. 40/1 of Chimbel, Tiswadi taluka, to an alternative site. It is further clarified that no construction activity shall be undertaken by this Department at the said site and the land shall be restored to its original condition at the earliest.”
LoP Yuri Alemao congratulated the villagers and said, “The people of Chimbel showed the power of unity, which compelled the government to shift the Unity Mall project from the wetland area. Similar unity is required to protect the brotherhood of Goa by eradicating the dadagiri of this government, which is only trying to divide people.”
