Several years ago, a wealthy Russian, who villagers I asked only know as Daniel, purchased the entire village of Colomb in South Goa from under the noses of the 80 or so families living there, without any consultation with or permission from them. The village was previously owned by a Portuguese lady, a remnant of colonial times, who lived in Portugal and had not visited or shown any interest in the village for years. The land that was stolen once is now being stolen again. The people living there largely come from fishing families of the Pagi caste, who in days gone by had little knowledge or awareness of legal or ownership rights or the wealth to become landowners themselves: They were just simple fishing families making their living from the sea. The Russian is now trying to use his wealth and all the legal power and influence he can buy to force these people off their homeland and build a 5 star resort. This is a place they have occupied for centuries, that provides their living through fishing and tourism, their community and their culture and if nothing is done they will be forced to move far away from the place and sea they love and call home. If you think it is outrageous that this happening in today's India then please sign and share this petition NOW!
Updates
April 24, 2017
We just hit 500 signatures for the people of Colomb. Print this petition and drop it off at your local council office this week to keep the pressure on the developers.
Reached 500 supporters
April 24, 2017
April 23, 2017
The stories coming from the families in Colomb are heartbreaking and prove that we must keep pushing to stop this resort construction. Please email your local representative today to demand that they defend these fishing families from displacement. Post our link on Facebook right now so more people understand exactly what is happening to this village.
Reached 100 supporters
April 22, 2017
189 Comments
I used to live in this beautiful place. A place that is peaceful, picturesque and full of love. It would be a disaster and unjust to put these loving people out of their home where they live where they have lived for generations.
This will create destitution in a place where these people have lived happily for centuries. There will be no income created for local people through a 5 star hotel. This will be the end of colomb beach and a devastating start of the take over of canacona. Don't let this happen.
One rule for the rich another for us !!! How was this foreigner allowed to buy land in Goa I wonder. Think we all know why !!! Locals don't want 5* hotels as generally they don't contribute to the local economy. Keep Goa beautiful.
i thought it was illegal for foreigners to purchase coastal property? there is a law to that effect, and for good reason: left unregulated the few beautiful spots left in Goa would soon be destroyed. this is one of those spots. it, and the people who live and work there, need to be protected.
Tourists visit Goa for a simple low key experiece.we don't want luxury hotels.Do not ruin and over build in Goa. Do not destroy traditions and the fisherman's culture and way of life.once destroyed there is no going back.if Goa becomes built up I shall visit else where.
This is illegal as the navy own all beaches it is the nations property
plain wrong
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Several years ago, a wealthy Russian, who villagers I asked only know as Daniel, purchased the entire village of Colomb in South Goa from under the noses of the 80 or so families living there, without any consultation with or permission from them. The village was previously owned by a Portuguese lady, a remnant of colonial times, who lived in Portugal and had not visited or shown any interest in the village for years. The land that was stolen once is now being stolen again. The people living there largely come from fishing families of the Pagi caste, who in days gone by had little knowledge or awareness of legal or ownership rights or the wealth to become landowners themselves: They were just simple fishing families making their living from the sea. The Russian is now trying to use his wealth and all the legal power and influence he can buy to force these people off their homeland and build a 5 star resort. This is a place they have occupied for centuries, that provides their living through fishing and tourism, their community and their culture and if nothing is done they will be forced to move far away from the place and sea they love and call home. If you think it is outrageous that this happening in today's India then please sign and share this petition NOW!
Updates
April 24, 2017
We just hit 500 signatures for the people of Colomb. Print this petition and drop it off at your local council office this week to keep the pressure on the developers.
Reached 500 supporters
April 24, 2017
April 23, 2017
The stories coming from the families in Colomb are heartbreaking and prove that we must keep pushing to stop this resort construction. Please email your local representative today to demand that they defend these fishing families from displacement. Post our link on Facebook right now so more people understand exactly what is happening to this village.
Reached 100 supporters
April 22, 2017
189 Comments
Disgraceful!! Been visiting Colomb ever year since 1998 & count the Pagi & other local families as dear friends in danger of losing their heritage and livelihoods to outsiders. Corruption won't rule forever in Goa.
I used to live in this beautiful place. A place that is peaceful, picturesque and full of love. It would be a disaster and unjust to put these loving people out of their home where they live where they have lived for generations.
This will create destitution in a place where these people have lived happily for centuries. There will be no income created for local people through a 5 star hotel. This will be the end of colomb beach and a devastating start of the take over of canacona. Don't let this happen.
One rule for the rich another for us !!! How was this foreigner allowed to buy land in Goa I wonder. Think we all know why !!! Locals don't want 5* hotels as generally they don't contribute to the local economy. Keep Goa beautiful.
i thought it was illegal for foreigners to purchase coastal property? there is a law to that effect, and for good reason: left unregulated the few beautiful spots left in Goa would soon be destroyed. this is one of those spots. it, and the people who live and work there, need to be protected.
Tourists visit Goa for a simple low key experiece.we don't want luxury hotels.Do not ruin and over build in Goa. Do not destroy traditions and the fisherman's culture and way of life.once destroyed there is no going back.if Goa becomes built up I shall visit else where.
This is illegal as the navy own all beaches it is the nations property
plain wrong
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Disgraceful!! Been visiting Colomb ever year since 1998 & count the Pagi & other local families as dear friends in danger of losing their heritage and livelihoods to outsiders. Corruption won't rule forever in Goa.