MAPUSA
In what appears to be an overnight and undercover operation, a large area of mangroves has been destroyed in an area coming under Bastora Panchayat.
A large tract of mangroves has been hacked and an area of almost 1000 sq mtrs of land has been almost flattened in Santa Cruz-Moriar ward in Bastora.
The spot is on the right side of the road leading to Aldona, just 200 mtrs before the Moira Bridge and can be noticed from the roadside.
The land, which three decades ago was a field, had over the years got a thick growth of mangrove plantations. The Supreme Court in an order has banned cutting of mangroves on any land, private or public.
The order banned dumping of debris in mangrove areas and forbade any authority from granting permission for development activity in them.
The court also said no applications for development should be entertained “regardless of the nature of ownership” of the land.
The local panchayat was oblivious of the incident and were taken aback of the development when The Goan brought it to their attention.
“The panchayat has not given any permission to anyone. We have come to know about the incident only after you have brought it to our attention. No one has complained and nobody has brought it to our notice,” said Bastora Panchayat Secretary Smitha Parab.
The development comes in the area of local Panch, Rakhi Naroaji, who equally appeared to be in the dark.
Senior Panch, Savio Martins, along with the panchayat secretary and the clerk then visited the place and took stock of the situation. “We had no clue of this development. We will investigate into the matter and take up the issue with the owner and the authority concerned,” Martins told The Goan. In fact, the land has been swarmed with mangrove plantations on all four sides.
A small rivulet runs across on the west side of the land concerned while on the South and East it is surrounded with land which has thick vegetation and mangrove plantations.
Moira resident and activist, Floriano Lobo, has condemned the act of destroying the mangroves. “The Supreme Court has banned cutting of mangroves. We have seen such activities taking place at many places. The authorities concerned should take immediate action on the culprits,” the activist said.
He said he had brought to the attention of the deputy collector about the activity of land filling in fields.
“There are people who plant cashew and coconut trees in the fields. This is not allowed by law and action can be initiated against the owners who indulge in such illegal activities,” he added.
