A protest was held in Panaji, Goa, on Monday by a group of villagers and activists against a proposed luxury real estate project, which they claim threatens the village’s ecology, water security, and agricultural heritage. The protest marked the completion of 100 days of a sit-in by people of Karapur and Sarvan villages in North Goa’s Bicholim taluka.
The project, known as One Goa, is promoted by realty developer House of Abhinandan Lodha and proposes to develop over 53 hectares of land. The first phase of the project includes the construction of 1,388 luxury villa plots, a 5-star hotel, and an artificial beach, which would convert agricultural and hilltop land into a luxury township. A delegation of villagers also protested at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
The promoters of the project claim that all necessary approvals are in place and accuse activists of trying to politicize the issue. However, the protesters are demanding the immediate suspension of all project activities and mega housing projects in the villages, as well as a comprehensive and independent environmental impact assessment before any further development.
Environmental lawyer Norma Alvares stated that the larger issue is the protest of the villagers against real estate projects that are changing the village’s demography and destroying its harmony. She alleged that the project will lead to the destruction of the village, taking away its water resources and bringing in a large number of people without any environmental clearance or government oversight.
A petition was filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa last year, questioning the approvals granted for the development project. The petition argued that the project involved a conflict of interest, abuse of power, and colorable exercise of power by the Town and Country Planning Department. The matter is currently pending before the High Court.
The House of Abhinandan Lodha has stated that they are open to dialogue with the villagers, but claim that activists are trying to politicize the issue rather than presenting the facts. They believe that the approach taken by the activists is unnecessary and does not serve the interests of Goa.
