Warn govt against construction in wetlands, call project an ecological disaster
Panaji: Construction near Toyyar lake in Chimbel will destroy wetland, damage ecosystem, and disrupt the village’s traditional way of life, said villagers as hundreds staged a protest on Sunday against the proposed Unity Mall and 17-storey Prashasan Stambh building at Kadamba Plateau.
Villagers demanded a halt to all work within the wetland area and called for clear boundary demarcation. “No project should be allowed in the wetland area. Any ongoing work should be stopped immediately, and the eco-sensitive zone must be properly demarcated,” they said.
“Instructions were given to the panchayat to collect service tax, but at the panchayat’s fortnightly meeting, it was decided against collecting this tax. Our villagers are against the project, and we are proud of the panchayat for standing with us,” said Chimbel biodiversity committee chairman Govind Shirodkar.
The protest was organised by the Gakuved Federation, Chimbel Kala and Sanskrutik Manch, and local residents.
“There is no display board showing who has started this work. We have asked the government to stop the Unity Mall work. If the work continues and the villagers take matters into their own hands, the government should not blame us,” said Shirodkar.
Shirodkar requested Chief Minister Pramod Sawant “not to dream” of building anything on their wetlands and forests. “Just as we opposed the IT Park earlier, we will oppose this project as well. Let the government take the project somewhere else,” he said.
Villager Krishna Mulgaonkar said that in 1909, during the Portuguese era, a dam and pipeline system were built here to supply water to Panaji and Ribandar. “The central canal used to provide clean drinking water and support agriculture. If the lake is destroyed, there will be water scarcity in the future,” he said.
On government claims that there will be shops for ‘One District, One Product,’ ‘Skill India,’ and ‘Make in India’, another villager alleged that no Goans are involved. “We are opposing this project because Toyyar lake gives us water. No lake means no water, and no water means no village. This lake is our life source,” he said, adding that the proposed development would generate 51,000 litres of sewage
daily.
“There will be a sewage treatment plant to clean this mess, 500 kg of solid waste — 300 kg biodegradable and 200 kg non-biodegradable — will be produced every day. All of this will eventually reach our lake,” he said.
The villagers also questioned claims of development. “They talk about developing Chimbel. But our health centre is in St Cruz. There is no library, no sports ground, no proper school, no hall, and no market. What development are they really talking about?” they asked.
