A significant gathering of ordinary Goans convened at Lohia Maidan to protest what they termed as Goa’s degradation due to detrimental decisions. Declaring “Enough is enough,” attendees vowed to oppose further injustices and environmental harm. In Siolim, residents protested tree cutting for road expansion near St Francis Xavier High School, with the Goa Green Brigade leading the silent candlelight demonstration. Concerns mounted over the indiscriminate felling of trees and unauthorized road expansion, with plans to cut 120 more trees.
The Mhadei River, crucial for 43% of Goans’ drinking water, faced threats from Karnataka’s attempts to divert its flow. The government and environmentalists, through the Mhadei Bachao Abhiyan (MBA), opposed this diversion. Fury arose among social activists as the Centre approved JSW group’s plan to double coal handling capacity at Mormugao Port, ignoring objections from the Goa State Pollution Control Board. The Save Old Goa Action Committee demanded the demolition of an alleged illegal bungalow in the heritage zone, challenging a High Court order that set aside a decision to demolish it.
