MAPUSA
In a fervent display of community solidarity, Oxel, Siolim witnessed a significant step forward in the battle to safeguard its cherished traditional spring, as village Sarpanch Reshal Arporkar lent her support to a candlelight vigil on Thursday.
Pledging to preserve the pristine hills and fields that define the village for future generations, Arporkar rallied locals to unite against encroaching mega projects and defend the sanctity of their land.
Addressing a large gathering, Arporkar highlighted the challenges faced by the panchayat in curbing the influence of powerful figures who secure project approvals through higher channels.
Emphasizing the limited authority of the panchayat, she underscored the pivotal role of community participation, urging villagers to actively engage in gram sabhas and collectively oppose ventures detrimental to the village's interests.
"We stand united against mega projects and the onslaught of external forces seeking to exploit our land," asserted Arporkar, advocating for grassroots resolutions to thwart large-scale developments.
Encouraging villagers to voice their dissent through written appeals to the panchayat, Arporkar, an advocate by profession, rallied for financial contributions to bolster the village's legal defenses against formidable adversaries.
The candlelight vigil, orchestrated by Goa Green Brigade (GGB) Convenor Avertino Miranda, served as a poignant platform to mobilize public outcry against construction encroaching upon the Oxel spring and surrounding catchment areas.
Miranda, a staunch advocate for environmental preservation, stressed the imperative of collective action in halting projects detrimental to the village's ecological integrity.
Asserting the primacy of community voice over monetary influence, Miranda underscored the violation of wetland regulations by projects encroaching within 26 metres of the spring, flouting the mandated 50-metre buffer zone.
"Why must the burden fall on citizens to protect our natural resources? Where is the accountability of the authorities?" questioned Miranda, expressing frustration at the recurring need for grassroots resistance.
Local resident Suraj Chodankar echoed Miranda's concerns, highlighting the imminent threat posed by a proposed project comprising eight villas with individual swimming pools.
"This exploitation of our spring must cease. Its medicinal waters are invaluable, and we must stand together to safeguard it," implored Chodankar, urging unity in the face of profit-driven developers.
As Oxel, Siolim navigates the delicate balance between progress and preservation, the resounding call for community vigilance echoes across its verdant hills, signaling a unified resolve to protect its timeless heritage from the encroachment of unchecked development.
