CANACONA
The gram sabha of the Loliem-Polem Village Panchayat has passed a series of resolutions aimed at protecting comunidade lands, invoking provisions under Item XXIII of Schedule I of the Goa Panchayat Raj Act, 1994. The resolutions seek to prohibit the Loliem-Polem Comunidade from allotting any land without the concurrence of the village body.
Members noted that several Gram Sabha resolutions passed since 2016 for the protection of Comunidade lands as the village's common assets have not been implemented by the Loliem-Polem Comunidade. The Gram Sabha unanimously resolved that the Village Panchayat should write to the Loliem-Polem Comunidade, the Administrator of Comunidades (South Goa) and the Governor of Goa, enclosing copies of all previous gram sabha resolutions and related correspondence concerning the conservation of comunidade lands, plateaus and biodiversity, as well as resolutions opposing mega projects and large housing developments.
The resolution further states that the Panchayat should direct the authorities not to consider or approve the grant of Comunidade land within the Panchayat area for any non-traditional or non-agricultural purposes, particularly for the construction of buildings, structures or roads. An exception has been made only for individual houses meant exclusively for landless and homeless local residents.
The Gram Sabha also resolved that the Panchayat should specifically urge the Loliem-Polem Comunidade not to permit the construction of new roads, the widening of existing roads, or the tarring of mud roads passing through Comunidade lands. Members expressed concern that such infrastructure could facilitate speculative development and pose a serious threat to privately owned and ecologically sensitive areas of the village.
The issue witnessed an extensive discussion before the resolutions were unanimously adopted.
Earlier, Sarpanch Nisha Chari welcomed the members, while Panchayat Secretary Sandeep S. Desai presented the minutes of the previous Gram Sabha, which were approved. The Panchayat's expenditure for the period from April 26, 2026, to July 23, 2026, was also presented and approved.
The Gram Sabha also discussed biodiversity conservation, garbage collection and waste segregation, besides reviewing several ongoing and proposed developmental works before taking up suggestions and passing resolutions.
Among those who actively participated in the discussions were Dennis Fernandes, Prashant Pagi and several other gram sabha members.
