MAPUSA
Candolim villagers on Sunday unanimously opposed all land use and zoning changes initiated or proposed under Section 39A of the Goa Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act, expressing concern over what they described as arbitrary conversions that threaten the village's ecology, water resources and traditional way of life.
At the gram sabha meeting, members passed a resolution urging the Candolim panchayat to withhold all local approvals, technical clearances, No Objection Certificates (NOCs) and construction licences for projects linked to Section 39A concerning specific properties and survey numbers in the village.
The gram sabha also resolved that certified copies of the resolution be forwarded to the Town and Country Planning Department, the North Goa District Collector and the Director of Panchayats within seven days for necessary action and compliance.
Residents said the increasing use of Section 39A for ad hoc land use and zoning changes was undermining statutory planning mechanisms and the powers of the gram sabha.
"Such arbitrary land zone conversions present an immediate and irreversible threat to the fragile ecosystem, remaining agricultural lands, water security and traditional livelihoods of Candolim. The unchecked use of Section 39A completely bypasses the long-term planning framework of the Regional Plan and subverts the constitutional governance and statutory powers vested in the Gram Sabha," said Prakash Kuttikar, a resident of Orda, Candolim.
The gram sabha also raised objections to large-scale residential developments, questioning how mega housing projects were being approved without assessing their impact on infrastructure, water resources, the environment and the area's carrying capacity.
Glenn Fernandes, a member of the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF), questioned the approval granted for a residential project comprising 32 flats, each with a private plunge pool.
He asked how such a project could be permitted when the existing PWD water supply is unable to adequately meet the drinking water requirements of residents, while many hotels and resorts in the area continue to depend on water tankers or allegedly illegal borewells to meet their needs.
Meanwhile, local resident Anil Candolkar raised concerns over alleged development plans in Survey No. 96/0, an environmentally sensitive land parcel measuring around 3.23 lakh square metres on Sinquerim Hill. He urged that the area be preserved, warning that any construction would irreversibly damage its rich biodiversity.
Responding to the concerns, Candolim Sarpanch Blaize Fernandes assured the gram sabha that the panchayat would not grant permission if any proposal was received for development in the protected area.
Candolkar also highlighted the issue of untreated sewage allegedly being discharged into open fields, roadside drains and nearby water bodies. The sarpanch said the panchayat had issued show-cause notices in the matter, but admitted that no penalties had been imposed so far.
