Goa Court Halts Tourism Project After Chimbel Residents' Protest
The district sessions court in Panaji delivered a significant victory for the people of Chimbel on Wednesday. The court quashed the construction license issued to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for its twin projects. This decision follows two weeks of sustained protests by local residents.
Court Quashes Construction License
In a revision application, the principal district judge took decisive action. The judge quashed and set aside the order of the block development officer for Tiswadi. The court also set aside the order of the deputy director of panchayats. Furthermore, the construction license issued by the secretary of Chimbel panchayat was formally quashed.
Advocate Malisa Simoes, representing local biodiversity management committee chairperson Govind Shirodkar, clarified the immediate impact. "Therefore, no activity as of today can go on at the site of Unity Mall," Simoes stated.
Legal Battle Over Permissions
The legal conflict began when the Chimbel panchayat resolved to reject the application for a construction license. The GTDC challenged this resolution before the block development officer. The BDO then directed the panchayat to issue a construction license within twenty-four hours.
The panchayat challenged this order before the deputy director of panchayats. However, the deputy director dismissed the revision application, upholding the BDO's order. This prompted Govind Shirodkar to file a revision application under the Goa Panchayat Raj Act.
During the last hearing on December 6, the court granted ad-interim relief to Shirodkar. The court stayed the orders of both the deputy director and the BDO. Judges observed that construction was proceeding "in full swing." Shirodkar raised serious contentions regarding the validity of the construction license and permissions issued to GTDC. The court opined that the GTDC required an interim stop from further construction.
Residents' Ecological Concerns
Local residents protested the project for two primary weeks. They argued the project would directly impact the notified wetland known as Toyyar Lake or Chimbel Lake. This lake serves as a critical ecological catchment and historic water source.
The wetland is essential for several reasons:
- Groundwater recharge for the local area.
- Supporting local biodiversity and ecosystems.
- Providing livelihood for local residents, particularly indigenous and tribal communities.
The court's decision represents a major win for community-led environmental advocacy in Goa. It halts a significant tourism development project over serious ecological concerns raised by citizens.
