The residents of Sancoale village in Goa are opposing the construction of a mega housing cum commercial project, named Adora De Goa, spread across 20 hectares. The proposed project will offer sea-facing residential homes, retail spaces with high-street coffee shops, restaurants, spa and boutiques. A full-fledged hotel/service apartment is also proposed to be built and operated by The Park Hotels. Construction of the project started in August 2019. In September, hundreds of residents from Cortalim constituency, along with environmental activists, held a peaceful protest rally from Chicalim to Sancoale plateau to oppose the project. The residents have alleged that the land was leased by the original owners, Communidade of Sancoale (an association with collective ownership of land), to agro-chemical firm Zuari for setting up an industry, but the land was fraudulently sold off by Zuari to a real estate company. The people in the village have opposed the project since 2016 citing it an environmental and infrastructure burden, especially with regard to water and electricity. According to the Environmental Impact Assessment, which was granted by the Goa State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority in 2016, the daily requirement of water during the operational phase will be 2,285.33 cubic metres per day, equivalent to the daily water requirement of two to three villages in Goa. The sewage output is expected to be 1,433 cubic metres per day, which will finally trickle down the villages of Sancoale, Chicalim and Dabolim and destroy the wells, ponds and other water bodies. Solid, non-biodegradable waste generated per day from the housing project will be around 2,243 kg. This single project is equivalent to three medium-sized villages in Goa in terms of population affected, water consumption and waste generated… This is against the principle of sustainable development. We do not want such destructive projects on our land which our ancestors have preserved for us, Swapnesh Sherlekar, co-convenor of Goencho Avaaz, told Land Conflict Watch. Goencho Avaaz is a non-political, socio-cultural organisation taking up issues concerning the interests of the Goan people.
Demand/Contention of the Affected Community
Region Classification
Type of Land
Private
Type of Common Land
Has the Conflict Ended?
When did it end?
Why did the conflict end?
Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict
Legislations/Policies Involved
Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute
What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community? What was the decision of the concerned government department?
Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:
Legal Status:
Status of Case In Court
Whether any adjudicatory body was approached
Name of the adjudicatory body
Name(s) of the Court(s)
Case Number
Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:
Whether criminal law was used against protestors
Official name of the criminal law. Did the case reach trial?
Reported Details of the Violation:
Date of Violation
Location of Violation
Nature of Protest
Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:
Goa Town and Country Planning Department, Goa State Environment Impact Assessment Authority
PSUs Involved in the Conflict:
Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached
Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Provident Housing Ltd, Puravankara Ltd, Larsen and Toubro, Trinitas Realtors India LLP
Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?
Name, Designation and Comment of Corporate Authorities Approached
Other Parties Involved in the Conflict:
Goencho Awaaz, Goa Foundation
Documented By
Anamika GodeReviewed By
Anamika GodeUpdated By
Anamika GodeEdited By
Anamika GodeLand Conflict Watch
