Mulgao Villagers Demand Buffer Zone Exclude Homes And Sacred Sites

Residents of Mulgao in Bicholim have renewed demands to redefine the mining buffer zone in accordance with the regional plan of 2020–21, explicitly calling for the exclusion of homes, water bodies, and places of worship. In a unanimously passed gram sabha resolution over the weekend, locals criticised the prolonged inaction by authorities, despite similar resolutions passed earlier. Villagers claim that unchecked mining activity has led to serious structural and environmental damage, pushing communities into vulnerable living conditions with no concrete compensation from the mining company or the state.

The panchayat reported multiple written appeals to the department of mines and geology, urging implementation of the regional plan buffer zoning guidelines, but the department has yet to respond. Residents highlighted that their homes have begun to crack due to heavy mining operations, and water seepage has become a recurring problem, especially during the monsoon. Some affected families are forced to wear footwear indoors due to constant dampness. While compensation for impacted farmers has reportedly been initiated, broader community concerns around safety, property damage, and religious sanctity remain unaddressed. During the gram sabha, villagers raised further concerns about the unauthorised construction of a concrete mixing plant for canal work by the water resources department. Locals argued that the plant’s approval lacked due process and requested that the panchayat halt the ongoing work.

Activists also criticised the panchayat for failing to act on a Rs 3 crore government sanction for a long-pending children’s playground renovation. The delay, they argue, reflects a deeper issue of administrative indifference to community needs in areas affected by extractive industries. Community leaders warned that if these demands continue to be ignored, residents would be forced to launch an indefinite agitation. Calls for a meeting with the Bicholim deputy collector are intended to break the current deadlock. Locals are especially worried that sacred and ecologically important areas—such as community temples and water catchment zones—are being included in industrial designations without public consent. They argue that mining-related decisions must not override cultural, environmental, and residential priorities in the name of economic development.

Also Watch: “Mumbai will rock, shine and always be India’s best city to live.” In an exclusive, MHADA CEO Sanjeev Jaiswal (IAS) talks about Mumbai’s enduring charm, livability, and the government’s focus on making it affordable for all

The situation in Mulgao reflects a broader tension between resource extraction and grassroots rights. As India seeks to expand its mining footprint, ensuring that zoning laws respect existing communities and their environment is essential. Protecting homes, water sources, and heritage spaces must be prioritised, not sidelined. Any development that endangers these pillars risks eroding not only landscapes, but also the trust between governance institutions and the people they serve.

Also Read: Navi Mumbai Second International Airport Prepares For September Launch

Mulgao Villagers Demand Buffer Zone Exclude Homes And Sacred Sites