MAPUSA
On the eve of world environment day, a 200-year-old banyan tree came crashing down near a construction site at Cobravaddo in Calangute.
Locals blame a real estate developer for the mighty fall of the national tree as the developer had been carrying out excavation at the site.
A cursory look at the tree suggests that the roots were systematically cut and the mud around the tree was also excavated with a design to felicitate the fall of the tree.
Condemning the act of the developer for destroying the more than 200-year-old banyan tree, the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) has requested the concerned authority to initiate strict action against the developer.
The banyan tree was on the boundary of the property belonging to the developer.
“It is very much evident that that mud was removed by engaging JCB and cutting the roots of the tree. It shows the clear intention of the developer to uproot the tree from the site as it was disturbing his development activities,” said Premanand Diukar, President of CCF.
He further disclosed that two electricity poles at the side of the property were shifted two days before the tree fell.
“This shows that the builder has executed a well-thought plan to uproot the tree and the electricity department appears to be part of the conspiracy helping the developer to execute his plan. We demand proper investigation in the matter and to order a departmental enquiry against the concerned officers,” Diukar said.
He said the banyan tree has been registered in Calangute panchayat’s Biodiversity PBR.
“Goa State Biodiversity Board should look into the matter and act in protection of the biotechnology of the village,” he said.
Several villagers including local panchayat members Swapnesh Vaigankar and Annie Coelho demanded action against those responsible for the falling of the tree.
