Goa, July 19 -- A section of villagers from Kalay-Sanguem has strongly criticised members of the Kalay panchayat for opposing development projects within the wildlife sanctuary area. At a press conference held in Kalay, the villagers accused the panchayat of acting against the interests of local residents by obstructing much-needed infrastructure and employment-generating initiatives.

"Supporting the wildlife sanctuary and neglecting the welfare of villagers is putting people in trouble. Both the village settlement and the panchayat office are situated within the sanctuary area," said former Kalay sarpanch Kishore Rama Gauns Dessai. He argued that it was inappropriate for the panchayat-whose jurisdiction largely falls within the sanctuar...