Daijiworld Media Network – Collem

Collem, May 5: Strong public outrage has erupted in Collem after the local panchayat issued a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for a large-scale project involving the development of 60 one-acre plots in Survey No. 37/1D. Villagers and farmers voiced stiff opposition during the gram sabha held on Sunday, submitting a formal plea seeking immediate withdrawal of the approval.

Despite receiving clearance from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department, residents expressed serious concerns over the potential environmental damage the project could cause in the ecologically sensitive no-mining buffer zone. Locals warned that the proposed development could adversely impact mangroves, water bodies, and wildlife habitats in the region.

Highlighting ongoing land-filling activities, villagers cautioned that such interventions could obstruct natural water flow, leading to severe flooding during the monsoon. “This will turn our village into a waterlogged disaster,” a farmer said, reflecting widespread anxiety among residents.

Questions were also raised regarding the affordability of the proposed plots, reportedly priced in crores, with locals doubting whether residents of Collem or Goa could benefit from the project. Allegations of external pressure influencing the panchayat’s decision also surfaced, with at least one member reportedly distancing herself from the NOC.

Tensions have escalated further as the sarpanch and panchayat secretary have refused to revoke the approval, prompting warnings of large-scale protests by aggrieved villagers. The issue has brought to the forefront concerns over transparency in governance and the need to safeguard Collem’s fragile ecosystem from unchecked development.

With public pressure mounting, authorities are now being urged to intervene and address the growing unrest while ensuring environmental protection remains a priority.