MAPUSA
Residents of Calangute-Candolim have voiced serious concerns following reports of the landfilling of a natural water body, designated as “protected,” located within Candolim village.
The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) has strongly condemned the incident, urging local authorities to intervene immediately to halt the destruction of biodiversity in the area.
In a letter addressed to the local panchayat and various other relevant authorities, the CCF has called for an urgent inspection of the landfilling activity and demanded measures to preserve the ecological integrity of the village.
According to the CCF, the water body in question, situated on property bearing survey no 28/19 & 20 in Souza vaddo, Candolim, has been filled with mud by a developer, posing a significant threat to its natural habitat.
President of CCF, Premanand Diukar highlighted the importance of maintaining the water body as a natural rainwater storage facility, emphasizing its role in supporting local farming activities.
He noted the presence of traditional water drains and nullahs connected to the pond, which channelize rainwater from surrounding areas during monsoons, thereby aiding farmers in their agricultural endeavors.
Expressing dismay over the absence of display boards citing construction permissions at the site, the CCF underscored the rich biodiversity of the pond area, emphasizing that any activities leading to its destruction would have adverse environmental consequences for the village.
The CCF has urged authorities to conduct a thorough site inspection of the pond without delay and to cease all landfilling activities to prevent further damage to the village’s biodiversity.
Additionally, they have called for the enforcement of strict regulations and penalties against those responsible for the destruction of such vital ecological assets.
Issuing a stern warning, the CCF cautioned that if prompt action is not taken against the developer, they will escalate the matter to higher authorities to seek justice and protect the village’s biodiversity.
