I am writing to highlight the gap between what Goa’s Chief Minister says and what his government does. At the Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that the government is committed to protecting water, forests and land, and that safeguarding nature is the duty of every citizen.
However, when citizens do raise their voice, the response is disappointing. People of Chimbel are protesting against the Unity Mall project, saying it will damage Toyyar Lake and destroy forests and farmland. Environmentalists have also warned that the project will harm plants, animals and the local ecosystem. Despite this, the Chief Minister has refused to stop the project, calling it a “central government initiative”. This shows that politics is being placed above people’s concerns and environmental protection.
A similar situation can be seen in the proposed bridge from Salvador-do-Mundo to Chorao island. The project threatens mangroves, khazan lands and the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary. Experts have warned of pollution, landslides and long-term damage to wildlife. Yet, the government continues to push the project. These cases reveal a clear double standard. While public statements speak of protecting nature, government actions support projects that harm it.
