The Forest Department officials with the help of locals measuring the width of the cut trees in the property which was set fire in Mandur.
OLD GOA
Around 72 trees were cut and set on fire in two properties at Mandur, prompting St Andre MLA Viresh Borkar and Azossim-Mandur sarpanch Prashant Naik to take cognisance of the matter.
Apparently, the fires were set three days back and it was first brought to the notice by Prof Ramrao Wagh through the media.
Upon learning of the incident, sarpanch Prashant Naik rushed to the site on Monday morning and inquired with the labourers, who confessed that they had set fire to the felled trees in one property.
The labourers claimed that they did not set fire to the trees in the adjoining property and said that the fire could have spread to the area.
Later, sarpanch Naik spoke to the person who claimed to be the owner of the two properties and asked him to bring copies of permissions for the activity, if any.
However, when that person arrived, he came without any documents and just claimed that he was the deemed owner.
But, when MLA Borkar made his presence at the site, the said person left in a jiffy.
Meanwhile, the forest department officials arrived at the site and after inspection found that more than 72 trees were cut in an area admeasuring 20,000 metres.
The contractor who was present at the site along with a labourer were arrested, the vehicle and the machinery were attached by the forest officials, only to be released later.
A supervisor, four labourers though made good their escape.
Speaking to the reporters, MLA Borkar said that the fires were deliberately set so that later the properties could be easily converted and projects built.
“The builders have eyes on these properties and they are setting trees on fire so that they could easily convert their properties to build projects in the future,” Borkar said while demanding that the government authorities should take stern action against the perpetrators.
Borkar further warned that he would not allow such acts to be undertaken in his constituency and will ensure that the matter is taken to the highest level.
