MAPUSA
Villagers in Aldona have decided to oppose land-use changes and new construction permissions under Section 39(A), citing concerns over environmental protection, water availability and the loss of community spaces.
At a gram sabha meeting on Sunday, members agreed not to support any zone changes or new construction proposals under this provision. They also rejected a proposal to convert three plots at Gavar–Carona, currently marked as playgrounds, into settlement zones.
Villager Domingos Sequeira e Fernandes raised the issue, noting that a notification had been issued for the change of land use. His proposal to reject the conversion was accepted unanimously. Sarpanch Ashwin De Souza said the panchayat would formalise its stand at a meeting on April 23.
Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira also opposed the changes, stressing that land is limited and should be preserved for public use. Concerns were raised about approvals involving a water body and a heritage site.
The gram sabha further agreed to restrict permissions for swimming pools due to water shortages and will inform relevant authorities of its decisions.
