Vasco, Jun 1 (TOI): Villagers attending a special gram sabha meet to discuss the proposed marina in Sancoale strongly opposed it and the panchayat categorically announced that it will not accord its approval to the project.

The meeting chaired by sarpanch Sharan Metti and attended by environment and forest minister Alina Saldanha started on a noisy note with villages expressing their opposition to the project. The members were also irked about the absence of four of nine panchas, as the issue of the marina is important to them.

Alina who sat among the members asked the people not to panic, as her department has not issued any approval to the project so far and speculation that they will commence soon was untrue.

She told the villagers and the sarpanch that she, too, is against setting up of marinas in Sancoale and Bambolim, though the investment promotion board has given permission in principle. This means that the proposal has to get the nod of all departments first. So far the party has not come to me for any approval.

She said that she understands the importance of marine life and also that the shoreline is sensitive to such projects. She had written to then chief minister Manohar Parrikar informing him about the ill-effects of marinas at these two beaches who too had agreed with the same.

Sharan Metti said, "Marinas will destroy marine life, so the panchayat will not give permission if it is approached by the party."