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Rui Manuel Da Costa Araujo said if casinos are allowed to anchor in Chicalim bay, then it will affect marine life besides creating traffic congestion in the village.
“Casinos will not only be responsible for creation of garbage which the panchayat is presently struggling to find solution, it will also lead to anti-social activities in the village,” said Araujo.
Araujo, who is the general secretary of Chicalim Villagers Action Committee, submitted a memorandum to the sarpanch to declare the Chicalim bay as Bio Diversity Heritage site under the Bio Diversity Act 2002 and Bio Diversity Rule 2004 to protect its existing rich marine bio-diversity.
He added that the Goa State Bio Diversity Board has already erected signages at four different locations along the entire Zuari river in Chicalim-Sancoale area mentioning about the rich marine biodiversity of the bay for the purpose of stakeholders, education and awareness.
A villager said the area comes under high security zone, as there is naval armament depot and the panchayat should write to the navy informing it about the government’s and a private company’s possible plan to shift the casinos in Chicalim bay.
After listening to the objections of the members, an unanimous resolution was passed opposing the anchoring of casinos in the bay.
Discussing on the garbage issue, the villagers sought to know how the panchayat was tackling the issue. Panch Rahul D’Costa said the panchayat is about to acquire 5,500 sq mts of Comunidade land behind the telephone exchange on lease.
“We are completing final formalities and within three months a one-tonne garbage treatment plant will be set up to handle 1.5 tonnes of garbage that is being generated in the village,” said D’Costa.
“On Monday evening, the naval flag officer commanding Goa Area and other officials including the panchayat members will inspect the area, as the area is close to the naval base at Chicalim,” added D’Costa.
Cosme Da Costa Araujo brought to the notice of the gram sabha the dumping of the leftover of the inaugural function of the panchayat in the open at Chicalim plateau and urged the panchayat to clear it as it was emitting foul smell.
Cyril Fernandes urged the panchayat to install a bigger garbage treatment plant instead of one tonne to tackle the increasing garbage problem in future.
