Will Loliem-Polem gram sabha turn stormy over Film City project?

CANACONA

It may not be on the agenda but a discussion on the proposed Film City project could well take centre-stage at the Gram Sabha of Loliem-Polem on Sunday at 10 am.

The Loliem-Polem gram sabha had repeatedly resolved not to permit any kind of development, be it polluting or non-polluting projects, on the Bhagwati Plateau, on grounds that the area is rich in flora and fauna and is the only piece of land which should be untouched and preserved for future generations.

Latest developments between the Entertainment Society of Goa (ESG) and the Loliem-Polem Comunidade gave a clear indication that the government is on the verge of finalising the location in coordination with the Loliem-Polem communidade.

However, the panchayat, which is reportedly in favour of the project, maintains that the government and the Comunidade have kept the panchayat in the dark, with the panchayat secretary maintaining that nothing has been received officially regarding the Film City.

Incidentally, a discussion on the Film City or Bhagwati plateau is not on the agenda of Sunday’s gram sabha, but a discussion on protecting the biodiversity of the village is part of the agenda along with 4 other points on the agenda, including developments and discussions on questions received from the members.

To garner support of the villagers at the gram sabha, environmentalists have been amplifying concerns that the government is determined to destroy the lone eco-sensitive Bhagwati plateau.

“The government is trying to set up a film city project on our Bhagwati plateau. Any project on the Bhagwati plateau will destroy our village, it is in the best interest that we all stand together to fight this project in unison,” stated Citizens Welfare committee president Dennis Fernandes.

“We request villagers to attend and take part in the discussion on permission reportedly given to the film city project on Bhagwati plateau. Bhagwati Plateau is very critical to the well-being of Loliem village and its people. Considering the importance of the plateau to our people and future generations, it is imperative that people attend the gram sabha in large numbers.”

Added Loliem-Polem Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) Chairman Manoj Prabhugaonkar: “Since Bhagwati Plateau is the lifeline of our village, we need to protect it from any sorts of concretization. We request all villagers to attend this Gram Sabha in large numbers and help us take appropriate resolutions to protect our plateau.”