Goa lawmaker to continue hunger strike against land conversion despite CM’s offer

Goa's political landscape is heating up as lawmaker Vijai Sardesai continues his hunger strike against land conversion practices, despite an offer from Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The Chief Minister announced that the government has prepared a letter to put all land conversion orders on hold, aiming to address concerns raised by Sardesai and other activists. Sardesai, representing the Goa Forward Party, initiated the hunger strike to protest against the rampant conversion of agricultural land for commercial development, which he argues threatens the state's ecological balance and heritage. The move has garnered significant attention, as it highlights ongoing tensions between environmental conservation and development interests in Goa. The Chief Minister's promise to suspend land conversion orders reflects a potential shift in governmental policy, yet Sardesai remains steadfast in his protest, emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive approach to land use in the coastal state. As the situation develops, the outcome of this political struggle may have lasting implications for land management and environmental policy in Goa.