the goan I network
PANAJI
The residents of Verna have organised a public meeting in the village today, February 10 at 5 pm to oppose the blatant destruction of hills, agricultural lands and water bodies being carried out on the banks of the Ambulor Tollem on the pretext of constructing an open air wedding hall and dance floor.
The residents have alleged that the construction on land bearing Survey No 133/1 and 108/0 in Verna is in collusion with government authorities.
Residents alleged that the project is being built through gross violation of laws as some permissions were granted only for construction of a residential house, domestic storage shed, toilet block and compound wall.
A letter from the TCP department in October 2018 addressed to the proprietor of the open air hall clearly states that technical clearance was given only for construction of residential house, domestic storage shed, toilet block and compound wall and not for any open air hall.
The village panchayat of Verna has also issued a Trade And Establishment License for an “Open Air Wedding and Celebration Hall and Dance Floor” in June 2018 which looks more like an attempt to legitimize the illegality through the backdoor.
The inland water body ‘Ambulor Tollem’, which is almost a kilometer in length has been in existence for centuries and extends widely covering a large surface area, is one among Verna’s rich biological heritage and pride, as its source are the aquifers of the River Sal, which is the only river originating in Goa, that too in Verna, say the residents.
The villagers have appealed to the Wetlands Authority, Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority, Goa State Biodiversity Board, and Water Resources Department to undertake a hydro- geological study on the impact of such commercial activities on the banks of the lake, as well as the overall impact on the River Sal.
