Panaji: A massive land conversion plan in North Goa has ignited fierce protests from villagers, who fear it will trigger ecological destruction and a potential disaster similar to the recent landslides in Wayanad. The controversy revolves around the conversion of a 3 lakh square metre hill, covered in dense private forest in Bhatwadi, Arambol, into a settlement zone.
Hill Conversion Ignites Public Outrage
This move by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department comes just two years after the central government intervened and kept a similar plan, which sought to convert 21% of Pernem taluka's green cover, in abeyance. The latest notification, issued this month, has put approximately 1,000 residents from five wards living at the foothills on high alert.
Local resident Rohit Satelkar revealed that despite receiving personal assurances from the Chief Minister and the local MLA that the conversion would not proceed, the official notification was still issued. "We were on alert since the land, which belonged to a local, was recently sold to a non-Goan buyer," said Prasad Shahapurkar from neighbouring Mandrem, whose residents have joined the protests. The agitators have vowed to continue their demonstrations until the decision is reversed and the matter is taken up in the upcoming assembly session.
Ecological and Cultural Heritage Under Threat
The residents argue that the hill is not just a green lung but a vital part of their ecosystem and cultural identity. The forest is home to wildlife including foxes, bison, and leopards. It also houses the village cremation ground, a playground, and a revered shrine—all of which now fall within the new settlement zone.
Satelkar highlighted the scale of the threat, stating, "The entire hill runs for 1.5km and makes up almost half of Arambol village." He expressed deep concerns about the potential development, which could see luxury hotels, villas, and numerous residential plots spring up. "The project will change our demography. There is no proper rubbish management for such development here," he added.
Water Scarcity and Identity at Stake
Perhaps the most immediate fear is the impact on water resources. Locals currently enjoy a year-round supply of fresh water from their wells, a blessing they attribute to the forest cover that recharges the groundwater. They fear that unplanned borewells for the new project will lead to severe water scarcity, a problem already plaguing other parts of the Arambol-Mandrem coast due to rampant tourism.
"Our identity as a village will be destroyed if the hill is destroyed. This is a fight for our identity," asserted another resident, Esperance D’Souza. Mandrem MLA Jit Arolkar has strongly backed the protesters, calling the conversion "fishy." He stated, "If, in an entire village, every person is objecting... and I even took up the issue in the assembly, still, if this conversion takes place... then there is something fishy. I will strongly object to this conversion."
The community's stand is clear: they will not relent until the green cover of Bhatwadi is permanently protected from large-scale settlement development.
