Latest news with #PremanandDivkar
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Status of projects in 5 villages under cloud
Calangute: The status of projects constructed based on approvals under the ODPs for Calangute, Candolim, Parra, Arpora and Nagoa by the North Goa Planning and Development Authority (NGPDA) and TCP department, could once again come under a cloud following Monday's HC order. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) which had filed one of the petitions against the ODPs, said, 'We have not yet received the order and have yet to see what directions have been given by the HC. But the HC has said that there can be no construction based on approvals given under the ODPs by the NGPDA and the TCP department,' said CCF president Premanand Divkar. Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira said he was yet to see the HC order. The panchayat had approached the HC in 2016 against the inclusion of Calangute in the NGPDA, but it was withdrawn after a new panchayat body supported by Calangute MLA Michael Lobo was elected in 2017. Lobo was also the chairman of the NGPDA at the time. A fresh petition had been filed after a new panchayat body was elected in 2022. The Goa Foundation had also filed petitions. The imbroglio over the ODPs has gone on for more than a decade. Activists and villagers had opposed the ODPs because of large-scale conversions of hill slopes and other eco-sensitive areas which had been marked as settlement zones. When the ODP was kept open for objections and suggestions, most of the objections had been ignored, villagers said.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Calangute forum files plaint over beach vegetation damage
Calangute: Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) on Thursday lodged a complaint before the chief secretary and other authorities against a developer for destroying beach vegetation on a property. Beach vegetation on the property bearing survey no. 208/1C of Calangute village has been destroyed, violating the Environmental Protection Act and a high court order. CCF president Premanand Divkar said, 'It is evident that these actions not only threaten the biodiversity and ecological balance of our coastal areas but also undermine community efforts to promote sustainability and protect our natural resources.' Destroying beach vegetation can cause erosion, loss of habitat, and reduce recreational options for locals and tourists. 'As per the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986, it is imperative that immediate action is taken to investigate this matter and hold those responsible accountable for their actions. Additionally, measures must be implemented to prevent further destruction of beach vegetation and restore damaged areas,' Divkar said in the complaint.
