The comunidades were established by our forefathers with a vision to secure future benefits. This is one reason Goa hasn’t been completely sold out yet. However, vested interests are constantly seeking ways to capture comunidade land, often through fraudulent means. What’s worse is that certain comunidade members in authority have ignored the efforts of our ancestors, instead collaborating with politicians and real estate entities to give away this valuable land. A lot of comunidade land has already been lost, occupied illegally, or given away due to the negligent or corrupt behaviour of some members, including the president, administrators, and attorneys. Despite opposition and environmental concerns, Tivim Comunidade has signed a 99-year lease with the Maharashtra Academy of Engineering & Educational Research (MAEER), Pune, for a private university. This lease feels like a permanent giveaway of 2 lakh square metres of land. The Goa government’s employment policies also seem out of step with their educational policies, raising questions about the true intentions behind this project. Genuine Gaunkars and concerned villagers must press the authorities to halt this controversial move and protect Goa’s land from exploitation.
