Neola Pereira

Neola Sybil Pereira (born 18 April 2000) is an Indian environmental activist known for her advocacy against environmental concerns in the coastal state of Goa.

She is actively involved in the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC) and has played a significant role in the #SaveMollem campaign.

Pereira, along with the youth, has been vocal in opposing three linear projects; double tracking, the expansion of the national highway, and the transmission of power lines through the Western Ghats.

Neola Sybil Pereira was born on 18 April 2000 to Santana Pereira and Maria Dolly Santiago in Vasco da Gama, Goa.

She is the third of three children and has two elder brothers.

Pereira hails from Chicalim.

She attended Regina Mundi High School, where she served as the captain of Hayes House during the 2015–2016 academic year.

In that same year, Pereira, alongside Meera Roka, led the Hayes House to secure victory in the Inter-house championship for the third consecutive time during the annual sports event.

In April 2021, she pursued her studies as an undergraduate specializing in business at a particular educational institution, the name of which has not been disclosed.

As of December 2022, Pereira is a student based in Chennai, India, with aspirations of joining the Indian Administrative Service.

On 21 November 2020, the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC) expressed their opposition to three infrastructure projects in Mollem: the expansion of railway tracks, the widening of National Highway NH4A, and the construction of a high-tension power line.

The CYFC threatened to take to the streets and withhold support for the government in the upcoming 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections unless their concerns were addressed.

Pereira demanded the removal of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) and the discontinuation of land acquisition in Velsao, South Goa.

Pereira placed significant emphasis on the Sagar Mala project's commitment to generating ample employment prospects for young individuals.

However, the specific initiatives associated with the project were appraised as detrimental, leading to widespread resistance from the younger demographic.

Concerns were raised by activists who expressed apprehension regarding the efforts to enhance the railway infrastructure within the coastal state of Goa.

These activists asserted that such endeavors may indicate a strategic intention to transform the region into a prominent center for coal production and distribution.

On January 22, 2021, a cohort of young individuals called upon the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), an entity established by the Supreme Court of India, to recommend the rescission of clearances granted to three linear projects located within the Mollem forests.

Among the representatives who advocated for this cause were Pereira, Shirly Fernandes, Gabriella D'Cruz, Prifa Xavier, Hyacinths Aguiar, Myron Lucas, Romeo Dias, Mathson Miranda, and Darina Lobo.

The group sought to capture the attention of the CEC and draw its focus towards the potential ramifications of these projects, which they believed would cause significant environmental and ecological damage.

Additionally, they expressed concerns that the local community would not derive any benefits from the projects, while their ancestral homes were at risk of demolition.

In April 2021, an event took place involving Pereira and a vibrant flash mob dedicated to a crucial cause: the preservation of a jeopardized wildlife reserve.

This endeavor was part of a larger movement driven by the youth of India, who were increasingly taking the lead in advocating for environmental concerns, much to the consternation of the country's authorities.

Pereira firmly believed that the responsibility of safeguarding the environment extends beyond the realm of environmentalists alone.

She undertook an extended campaign opposing a governmental initiative that involved the expansion of railway tracks, the widening of a highway, and the construction of an electricity transmission line that would traverse Mollem National Park.

This park played a crucial role as the natural habitat for endangered tigers and other important feline species.

Pereira expressed her initial surprise about actively engaging in the battle against fossil fuels.

In February, Disha Ravi, a 22-year-old activist focusing on climate issues, was apprehended by the authorities on sedition charges.

The accusation against Ravi entailed her alleged involvement in creating a "toolkit" aimed at aiding the coordination of protests, which was subsequently shared on social media platforms, including with Greta Thunberg, a Swedish activist.

Pereira, who had been personally detained by the police in December, admired Ravi and views her as an inspirational figure.

Pereira emphasized the desire of young women, including herself, to not only pursue careers but also to utilize their voices for effecting meaningful change.

In 2021, Pereira expressed a clear view that the Mollem campaign was undeniably linked to climate change.

She emphasized that the act of tree felling in Mollem had aggravated the situation.

She remarked that the current circumstances were unprecedented, and if such actions continued, the problem would exacerbate further.

Additionally, she mentioned the fortunate timing of the harvest in Chicalim on 14 November, but acknowledged that many farmers across the state encountered difficulties due to unseasonal rainfall.

In April 2021, it was reported that Pereira was actively preparing for a protracted struggle and downplaying concerns regarding potential repression.

Pereira recounted an incident of detainment that occurred in December 2020, where law enforcement officials boarded a privately-owned bus carrying protestors and instructed the driver to transport them to a police station.

Pereira vividly described the situation as a state of entrapment and emphasized their desperate pleas for assistance.

Shortly thereafter, Pereira and their companions began live-streaming the event on Instagram, attracting an audience of over 200,000 viewers and inspiring others to offer support.

Pereira asserted that the government was apprehensive due to the significant outreach they had achieved, stating, "I am very confident in my ability to emerge victorious from this struggle."