Goa, June 8 -- Alarmed by a surge in high-density construction, residents of Varca have urged their local panchayat to convene an urgent gram sabha to address mounting concerns. In a memorandum signed by over 600 villagers and submitted by Shohail Furtado, residents have called for an immediate halt to all permissions for multi-unit housing projects until a scientific carrying-capacity study is completed.

The appeal highlights the strain on the village's basic infrastructure, citing frequent power cuts, water shortages, and insufficient waste management. Residents warn that the unchecked development is exacerbating sewage problems, increasing the risk of contamination and serious public health concerns.

Environmental degradation is anot...