Outrage grows over Siolim midnight tree felling

Stumps of heritage trees felled along the Siolim-Assagao road.

MAPUSA
The quiet of a coastal night was shattered this week when two towering, centuries-old trees were felled in what activists have described as a “clandestine midnight operation” along the Siolim-Assagao road, triggering anger among residents and environmentalists.
The incident, which reportedly took place around midnight on April 13 at Soro Junction, has drawn sharp condemnation from the Goa Green Brigade, which alleged that the act was carried out in defiance of a stay order issued by the Bombay High Court at Goa against tree felling along the stretch.
Convenor Avertino Miranda said the trees -- identified as a heritage cotton tree and a White Teak or Gmelina (locally known as Shivam) -- were not only ecologically significant but deeply embedded in the region’s landscape and memory.
“These were not ordinary trees. Each had a girth of over 2.5 metres, standing as silent witnesses to generations of change,” he said, citing a post-complaint inspection by the Forest Department.
According to Miranda, the trees were cut and swiftly transported in at least four heavy trucks, suggesting a well-planned operation. He further alleged that suspicion “clearly and undoubtedly” points toward a coastal MLA, accusing the legislator of persistently pushing for their removal under the guise of road expansion. The MLA has not publicly responded to the allegations.
The latest felling has reopened old wounds in the community. In March 2024, residents and activists had staged an eight-day candlelight protest to save the avenue of heritage trees, following reports that 131 had been marked for removal. While activists claim they managed to save around 100 trees, 31 were felled at the time.
“For us, these trees are like elders in the village. They’ve stood here longer than any of us have been alive. To see them gone overnight -- it feels like a part of our history has been erased,” said an Assagao resident, requesting anonymity.
Another local described the stretch as more than just a road. “This canopy was our relief during peak summer. You could walk or ride here without the harsh sun beating down. Now it feels exposed and lifeless,” the resident said.
Environmentalists also highlighted the ecological impact, noting that the trees supported a rich web of biodiversity. “They were home to birds, reptiles, insects, butterflies and countless microorganisms. Their loss is not just visual – it disrupts an entire ecosystem,” Miranda said.
The Goa Green Brigade has indicated that it will move the High Court, alleging blatant violation of its stay order and seeking accountability for the felling.
As the debate over development versus conservation intensifies, locals say the issue goes beyond infrastructure. “Roads can be widened in many ways. But you cannot replace a 200-year-old tree in our lifetime,” another resident said quietly.
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Green Brigade warns of protest
MAPUSA: The Goa Green Brigade has warned of a silent candlelight protest if authorities fail to act against those responsible for the alleged illegal felling of heritage trees along the Assagao-Siolim road.
Convenor Avertino Miranda said the protest would be held to condemn the “massacre” of centuries-old trees, reportedly cut in a midnight operation despite a stay order from the Bombay High Court at Goa. “We will hold a candlelight protest against the hacking of these heritage trees if no action is initiated,” Miranda said.
He added that while the forest department conducted a prompt site inspection following the NGO’s complaint, no concrete action has been taken so far. The group has demanded accountability and strict enforcement of the court’s directive prohibiting tree felling along the stretch.
The issue has reignited tensions in the area, where residents and environmentalists have long opposed the removal of old roadside trees, citing their ecological and cultural significance. The avenue, known for its dense green canopy, provides shade, supports biodiversity, and is considered part of the region’s natural heritage.
In March 2024, the Goa Green Brigade and local residents had staged an eight-day candlelight protest after several trees were marked for felling for a proposed road expansion in Siolim.