The Guirdolim gram sabha on Sunday reportedly adopted a resolution to bar construction activity on sloping land in the village belonging to the local comunidade. The Nuvem gram sabha adopted a resolution opposing development that involves hill cutting for mega housing projects in the village. The Camurlim gram sabha too adopted a resolution demanding that the government put a cap on the mega housing projects in the village. Gram sabhas of other villages need to follow suit. Sancoale villagers are protesting against a mega project coming up in a forested area. In the past hills and forest areas were used as grazing grounds for cattle and need to be conserved for future generations. Construction on slopes can increase the risk of landslides. Slope instability occurs when an inclined mass of rock or soil is unable to withstand the force of gravity, resulting in the movement of rock and soil. A study has shown that hill-cutting during construction accounts for 40 per cent of landslides. Forests are reservoirs of water. They fulfil the water requirements of households at the base of the forest. There needs to be a total ban on construction activity on slopes.
