MAPUSA
Revenue Minister Atanasio (Babush) Monserrate announced on Friday that local self-governing bodies in Goa are responsible for identifying and cutting down dangerous trees within their jurisdiction and the process is conducted in coordination with the sub-divisional magistrate.
During the Goa Legislative Assembly session, Monserrate explained that municipalities are allocated Rs 50,000, and panchayats Rs 25,000, under the disaster management authority to address this issue.
“Should these funds be insufficient, local bodies can request additional funds from the sub-divisional magistrate,” Monseratte said. The Revenue Minister was responding to concerns raised by Bicholim MLA Chandrakant Shetye, who highlighted the issue of inadequate funds for cutting dangerous trees.
Shetye noted that approximately 200 trees have fallen in Bicholim during the current monsoon season, with 22 trees falling in a single day on Thursday.
Seeking clarity on responsibility, Shetye asked whether the disaster management authority or the deputy collector was accountable for addressing dangerous trees in public areas. Monserrate clarified that the civic body, with assistance from the forest department, assesses which trees need trimming or removal.
“According to the Goa Tree Preservation Act, 1984, the deputy collector has the final say in matters concerning dangerous trees, and their orders are typically followed by the involved parties,” he said.
Several MLAs voiced concerns over the inadequacy of the current funds. Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo and Mayem MLA Premendra Shet all argued that the current allocations of Rs 50,000 for municipalities and Rs 25,000 for panchayats were insufficient. Shet pointed out that the cost to chop a single large tree could be as high as Rs 28,000, emphasizing the need for increased funding.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant responded, noting that the amounts had been recently increased to their current levels and acknowledged that they were previously much lower. He assured that the government would consider further increases if necessary.
