Panaji: A gram sabha of the Curca-Bambolim-Talaulim panchayat unanimously opposed the inclusion of Bambolim in planning areas under the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA), stating that illegal construction activity already had wiped out hilly and agricultural areas, and burdened the infrastructure.A recent govt notification that announced appointment of Rohit Monserrate as the chairman of the reconstituted NGPDA with Bambolim as one of the planning areas kicked off an uproar, as locals expressed their strong opposition to the notificaition.At a well attended meeting, members from Bambolim, Nauxi, and other areas said that no study was carried out to assess the availability of infrastructure and environment impact of including the village under planning areas. Locals Suresh Palkar, Ramrao Wagh, and former sarpanch Prakash Sawant were present. Palkar, Manguesh Kuttikar, and L Monteiro were among those who spoke about the adverse impacts of the govt proposal on their village.The villagers had submitted a few memoranda to govt in 2017 and 2018 and also passed resolutions a few times opposing the proposed inclusion.The village area comprises largely pristine agricultural land, traditional fishing areas, and verdant hilly areas with rich biodiversity. Research by fisheries scientists had documented 300 species of fish in the Zuari river, one of the memoranda stated.Then MLA Francis Silveira and sarpanch Maria da Cunha had resigned as members of the Greater Panaji planning and development authority in 2018, opposing the inclusion.One memorandum stated that the inclusion is arbitrary and undemocratic, as the local body has not been apprised about it nor any proper study has been done. The carrying capacity of the village has been exceeded, it said.Such a proposal will impact biodiversity and impact the livelihoods of traditional fishermen, besides having an adverse impact on the environment.
