As many Goan villages face pressure from large housing projects, two recent examples from Nuvem and Assagao offer some hope. In both places, the panchayat, including the sarpanch and a majority of the panchas, chose to support villagers who opposed certain large housing projects. In Assagao, the panchayat went a step further and legally challenged the project approvals twice, eventually succeeding in getting a major real estate project dismissed by the district court. This shows that panchayats can act firmly when projects are not in the interest of the village.
In contrast, several controversial housing and villa projects are coming up in Colva, including in sensitive areas and fishing wards. However, the panchas and the secretary often say they are helpless once approvals are granted. The actions taken by the Assagao panchayat clearly show that this is not true.
Unfortunately, it appears that the majority of Colva’s panchas are unwilling to act, despite repeated objections and concerns raised by local residents. I urge the sarpanch and panchas of Colva to take inspiration from their counterparts in Nuvem and Assagao, and to act in the true interest of Colva village and its people.
