MAPUSA
In what could be a first-of-its-kind initiative in Goa, the Calangute Panchayat is considering commissioning a carrying capacity study of the village to assess the impact of rapid development and tourism-related pressures on local resources.
The proposal was discussed at a special Gram Sabha on Sunday, during which officials from The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) made a detailed presentation on the scope of the study, its methodology and the expected outcomes.
However, Calangute Sarpanch Joseph Sequeira clarified that the project would move forward only if it receives the approval of villagers at the next Gram Sabha scheduled for July 12.
“TERI has quoted Rs 22 lakh for carrying out the study. We will place the proposal before the villagers in the next Gram Sabha and let them decide whether to proceed with it,” Sequeira said.
During the meeting, several residents raised questions about the relevance and effectiveness of the study, particularly whether its recommendations would be accepted and implemented by the government.
Former panchayat member Sudesh Mayenkar welcomed the panchayat's initiative but expressed reservations about its practical utility.
“We wanted to know whether the report will be an authentic study that the government will be bound to follow. Otherwise, it will become a wasteful exercise carried out only for academic interest,” Mayenkar said.
Another resident, Manuel Cardozo, said Calangute had witnessed excessive development over the years and needed a scientific assessment to guide future planning.
“Calangute has been overdeveloped and it is time to restore the past glory of the beach village. Ideally, this exercise should have been undertaken by the government, but our panchayat has taken the lead. We hope something positive comes out of it,” Cardozo said.
A TERI official explained that the study would assess the village's ability to sustain development while balancing environmental, infrastructure and tourism-related pressures.
“Calangute is an important destination, particularly from the tourism point of view. There has been significant pressure and over-exploitation of resources, making a carrying capacity assessment important for future planning,” the official said.
The proposed study is expected to evaluate infrastructure, environmental resources, tourism load and population pressures, and recommend measures for sustainable development of the coastal village.
