Canacona: The gram sabha of Loliem-Polem village panchayat, on Sunday, strongly opposed the no-objection certificate (NOC) issued by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department’s Canacona taluka office for a lease deed involving 10 lakh sq metres of land in Loliem village. The land is intended for the development of a Film City and allied infrastructure.
Members said that the gram sabha had passed resolutions in 2016 and 2023 rejecting non-traditional uses of plateau lands, citing ecological sensitivity and the survival needs of the local community.
During the meeting, members deemed the NOC issued on October 14, 2024, and the affidavit by the Comunidade of Loliem-Polem as violations of these resolutions. By a majority vote of 44 to 16, the gram sabha resolved that the panchayat immediately write to the authorities concerned, including the Comunidade of Loliem, the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG), and the TCP Department, demanding the revocation of the NOC and any registered lease deed.
It was further resolved that, if no action is taken within 15 days, the panchayat will challenge the matter in the High Court and other relevant forums.
The meeting also discussed identifying and reopening traditional pathways to the seashore that may have been blocked, as previously resolved. It plans to collaborate with locals and authorities to address this issue.
Locals, opposing the project, said there are plans for amusement parks, hotels, villas, and other infrastructure, which would lead to irreversible ecological damage and displace the community. Activists urged the government and local MLA to prioritise the villagers’ livelihoods over commercial interests, emphasising the need to protect their natural resources and way of life.
A comunidade member also raised objections to including Loliem-Polem as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), saying it would impose unreasonable restrictions on daily life.
“This project will destroy the existence of the village,” said BMC chairperson Manoj Prabhugaonkar, president of the Citizens Committee of Loliem, Dennis Fernandes, Prashant Pagi, ex-panch Shailesh Pagi, adding that the plateau’s development would jeopardise their reliance on natural resources. They appealed to authorities to reconsider the proposal and safeguard the community’s future.
Sarpanch Nisha Chari, secretary Sandeep Desai, and seven out of the nine panchas were present.
