Goa Residents Triumph After 44-Day Hunger Strike Forces Project Relocation
In a significant victory for environmental activism and community mobilization, the residents of Chimbel in Goa have officially called off their prolonged 44-day chain hunger strike. This decisive action came on Monday after the state's tourism department and general administration department issued an official notification confirming the relocation of the controversial Unity Mall and Prashasan Stambh projects from survey numbers 40 and 40/1 in Chimbel.
Government Notification Brings Protest to an End
The government notification, which residents had been demanding for weeks, not only mandates the relocation of both infrastructure projects but also includes a commitment to restore areas that were damaged during preliminary construction activities. This development marks the culmination of a sustained protest that began on December 28 last year, when residents first initiated their chain hunger strike to oppose what they viewed as environmentally destructive developments.
Earlier on Monday, in a strategic escalation of their protest, residents had moved their demonstration site from the actual construction location in Chimbel to Azad Maidan, a prominent public space. This shift was accompanied by a clear one-day ultimatum delivered to government authorities, demanding the issuance of two separate official notices for relocating both projects by evening. Residents had warned that failure to comply would lead them to seek an immediate meeting with Governor P A Gajapathi Raju.
Environmental Concerns at the Heart of the Protest
The core of residents' opposition centered on legitimate fears that the proposed 17-storey Prashasan Stambh and Unity Mall developments would potentially contaminate the ecologically sensitive Toyyar Lake and jeopardize its surrounding zone of influence. Throughout their campaign, protestors consistently urged the government to re-notify the wetland area based on recent survey data, emphasizing the need for updated environmental protections.
Govind Shirodkar, chairperson of the Chimbel wetland committee, expressed the community's collective resolve: "Since the day the government proposed this project at this specific site, we Chimbelkars maintained an unwavering stance. To protect our lake, every villager worked tirelessly and participated in fasting rituals. We never retreated from our efforts—women, youth, and elders stood united in this battle. We fought through ground-level hunger strikes, pursued our case in district court, and successfully halted construction. As the saying goes, all is well that ends well. Our clear message to the government this morning has yielded tangible results with two official notices now in our possession."
Political Support and Strategic Victory
The protest garnered significant political attention, with AAP Goa unit president Valmiki Naik present at the demonstration site. Naik remarked: "After 44 days of enduring numerous hardships and struggles, we have finally achieved victory. Through this chain hunger strike, the people of Chimbel have demonstrated to all Goans how effective, principled protest should be conducted. They embraced the path of satyagraha, one of Mahatma Gandhi's fundamental teachings. Remarkably, as days progressed, the protest gained momentum and intensity rather than diminishing."
RG functionary Ajay Kolekar highlighted the broader implications of the residents' success: "This outcome serves as living proof that educated, informed citizens, when united and determined, can successfully influence government decisions in their favor through peaceful, persistent advocacy."
Previous Rejection and Final Resolution
It's noteworthy that residents had previously rejected an earlier notification issued on January 29 by Tourism Department Director Kedar Naik, arguing that it did not constitute proper legal correspondence addressing their concerns. The breakthrough came after Chief Minister convened a meeting with the North Goa collector and heads of various departments, resulting in the issuance of the definitive notifications by Monday evening.
The Chimbel protest represents a compelling case study in community-led environmental protection, demonstrating how sustained non-violent resistance can effect policy change and protect vulnerable ecosystems from potentially damaging development projects.
