Goa, April 26 -- Residents, environmental activists, and members of the Save Goa Environment team and nearby villagers gathered at Salvador do Mundo hill under the slogan "Our Forest, Our Future - Save It Before It's Gone" to protest against an alleged mega construction project coming up on forest land within the jurisdiction of the Olaulim-Pomburpa Panchayat. Several social activists from across Goa joined the protest, condemning what they described as large-scale destruction of private forest land spread across nearly 35,000 square metres.

Villagers expressed concern over the loss of biodiversity and the disappearance of traditional forest produce such as jungle fruits like "Kanta," which many locals have enjoyed since childhood. "One ...