CANACONA
In a strong and unified stand, the Gram Sabha of Loliem-Polem on Sunday unanimously rejected all development proposals approved by the local comunidade, including the much-publicised Film City project. The decision marks a significant setback for plans to convert the village's ecologically sensitive plateaus into zones for industrial, tourism, and infrastructure ventures.
Just a month ago, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government and the Loliem-Polem comunidade for the Film City project on Bhagwati plateau. However, villagers have now categorically opposed not only this initiative but all 13 other projects considered during the comunidade meeting held on July 6, 2025. These included fruit processing units, a Sainik school, a solar power plant, a cricket stadium, and wayside amenities -- none of which, villagers argued, align with the traditional uses of the village's plateaus.
Three formal resolutions were unanimously passed during the Gram Sabha. These call on the Village Panchayat to: Officially inform all proponents of the 13 projects and the Film City to withdraw their applications from the comunidade; Notify the Chief Minister, Ministry of Environment & Climate Change, Goa Chief Secretary, Chief Town Planner (TCP), and the South Goa Comunidade Administrator of the villagers’ collective rejection and take all necessary legal steps to ensure the implementation of the Gram Sabha’s resolutions.
Environmentalists who have been leading the opposition issued a statement following the meeting, describing the day’s proceedings as a decisive moment in a long-standing battle for conservation.
“This movement began in 2005 when four large tourism projects were proposed on Loliem’s coastal plateaus, sparking widespread opposition and the eventual failure of the RP 2011 plan,” said Dattaprasad Prabhugaonkar. “The same plateaus were again threatened by the IIT Goa proposal in 2016, but villagers united to block it, passing six landmark resolutions which remain in force today.”
Despite these victories, residents say pressure to industrialize the plateaus has continued. “Over 1,100 villagers recently signed a petition demanding immediate withdrawal of all proposals,” said Prashant Pagi. “This Sunday’s Gram Sabha was the latest chapter in that struggle and the people have spoken loud and clear.”
Over 200 villagers reportedly attended the meeting, which saw overwhelming support for the resolutions. According to Denis Fernandes, participants came well-prepared, leading to a swift consensus despite the presence of some pro-development voices.
The resolutions were proposed by Dattaprasad Prabhugaonkar and seconded by Prashant Pagi, with active contributions from environmental advocates Shailesh Pagi and Om Prabhugaonkar.
The meeting was chaired by Sarpanch Nisha Chari and attended by six panchayat members, including Deputy Sarpanch Ashutosh Bandekar and Secretary Sandeep S. Desai. Notably absent were former Sarpanchs Ajay Lolienkar and Pratiza Bandekar, as well as the Maxem ward panch.
While the unanimous vote has dealt a blow to the Film City and other proposed projects, villagers acknowledge that the broader fight to preserve Loliem’s natural landscape is far from over.
