The proposal for eight housing villas with swimming pools in Betalbatim has sparked outrage, with villagers raising concerns about the village’s carrying capacity. The issue is even more severe in the nearby village of Colva, where construction licences have been issued for various projects, including swimming pools, residential buildings, and a hotel. According to RTI data from January 2023 to January 2024, Colva Panchayat granted approvals for 5 swimming pools, 3 residential buildings, and 1 hotel, alongside other developments in neighbouring areas.
Questions have been raised about the lack of consideration for the village’s water supply, especially as Colva faces water scarcity and well contamination. The impact of such unchecked development could lead to severe water shortages, as seen with the Selaulim Dam’s critical levels last year. The Panchayat’s actions appear to be without foresight, and concerns about the dry-up of water sources and delayed monsoons persist.
Additionally, there are reports of Panchayat members bypassing a High Court ban on multiple dwelling units by merging plots to circumvent restrictions. These tactics, combined with land development by external real estate developers, are causing environmental damage, such as illegal tree cutting and the filling of water bodies. The plea is for the Colva Sarpanch, Panchas, and the Secretary to act as responsible custodians of the village, prioritising sustainability over personal or monetary gain. There is also a call for government authorities to investigate the possible links between Panchayat members and developers contributing to environmental destruction.
