MAPUSA
Within four days, over 50 coconut trees have been felled along the Mapusa-Parra road which has been taken up for road widening.
Interestingly, there was not a whimper of protest either from the tree owners or the conservationists, as the trees were knocked down one after the other from Sunday onwards.
“I felt very sorry when I saw them bringing down those age-old coconut trees,” said a resident from Assagao who appeared disturbed over the brazen axing of trees.
Official information was difficult to come by, even as concerned officials appeared cagey while speaking to The Goan.
M Shettye, Assistant Engineer, PWD (Roads) said he had no information about the number of trees that have been cut.
“The road widening work on the particular stretch comes under our division but I do not have information on any tree cutting work being undertaken,” Shettye said.
PWD (Roads), Executive Engineer, Brahmanand Naik refused to answer to several calls made to him.
Conservator of Forest, N K Shambu was not aware whether permission was sought for tree cutting but directed this reporter to speak to his tree officer, North Goa.
“I don’t have off-hand information on the tree cutting, but will let you know tomorrow,” said Kharkhanis, Tree Officer, North Goa.
According to North Goa Planning and Development Authority Chairman and Calangute MLA Michael Lobo, only 35 coconut trees were cut and some were uprooted and replanted at some other places.
“Only 35 coconut trees have been cut and around 20 others which were relatively young were uprooted and replanted at some other places,” Lobo said.
Three JCB machines were pressed into demolishing compound walls and illegal extensions at various places along the road.
The MLA said the Mapusa-Parra road that has been taken up for widening was very narrow and prone to accidents.
“We will develop the stretch as a model road with signages and proper alignment, with at least two roundabouts,” the NGPDA chairman said.
“Once ready, it could be replicated at various other places in the State,” he added.
Lobo had recently announced that government has decided to widen the road with a footpath on one side of the road.
The government has allotted Rs 97 lakh for the road widening work from Parra junction to Gandhi Chowk, Mapusa and Rs 1.20 crore for beautification of Parra junction, the MLA had said.
