Calangute Residents Voice Concerns Over CRZ and Urbanization in Extraordinary Gram Sabha

Calangute, Goa – In a significant show of community solidarity, the Calangute Village Panchayat (VP) recently convened an extraordinary gram sabha to address pressing concerns regarding the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification and the proposed urbanization of the area.

The meeting, attended by a large gathering of local residents, aimed to educate and discuss the implications of these developments on the village’s ecosystem, infrastructure, and the livelihoods of its people.

Officials from the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority (GCZMA) were present to explain the provisions of the CRZ notification 2011 and its impact on the local population.

The gram sabha unanimously adopted a resolution opposing any further development and urbanization in the CRZ zone, citing concerns over the potential loss of the village’s natural beauty and the adverse effects on its traditional inhabitants. Residents and community leaders emphasized the need to protect the eco-sensitive zones in and around Calangute, particularly the Baga hill area, from any construction or development that could harm the environment

The residents of Calangute are worried that the proposed urbanization and development projects in the CRZ zone will not only destroy the village’s natural charm but also lead to increased pressure on its infrastructure, including roads, water supply, and sanitation. The gram sabha has called upon the authorities to take immediate action to address the concerns of the local community and to ensure that any development in the area is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

While the authorities have assured the community that their concerns will be taken into consideration, the residents remain skeptical and are demanding greater transparency and accountability in the decision-making process.

The extraordinary gram sabha has sent a strong message to the authorities that the people of Calangute will not compromise on their rights and interests, and will work together to protect their village’s unique identity and environment.