Goa, Sept. 22 -- Residents of Chimbel, joined by social activists, protested on Sunday against the proposed Unity Mall at Chimbel and the 17-storey Prashasan Stambh at Kadamba Plateau. Locals said the projects are near the eco-sensitive Toyyar Lake, a notified wetland, and could harm biodiversity, deplete aquifers, and affect livelihoods. They demanded a biodiversity park at the lake and alleged that they were not consulted before project approvals. Chimbel panchayat has already passed a resolution opposing the developments, and protestors urged the government to scrap the projects.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Herald Goa....