PANAJI
A group of green activists and residents of Panaji are expected to file a Public Interest Litigation with the Bombay High Court in Goa on Wednesday, against the uprooting of Banyan Tree at St Inez.
Sources said the petitioners are finalizing the details of the PIL, which is being prepared by their legal representative. The Goa government, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd, the Forest Department, and other relevant agencies are likely to be named as respondents in the matter.
“We have observed clear violations by the agencies and all this should be brought to the notice of the High Court. The fate of the tree is uncertain because the manner in which the entire translocation process has taken place is concerning. Moreover, it was relocated twice without adequate preventive measures,” said an activist speaking to The Goan.
The PIL is set to include supporting documents such as permission granted by the Forest Department and photographic evidence documenting the process from uprooting to replanting, etc.
Negligence of proper
process brought to fore
Convener of Goa Green Brigade, Avertino Miranda, personally present during the initial uprooting of a tree, alleged negligence and violation of the order of the Forest Department.
Miranda claims workers failed to take precautions, resulting in cracked barks and detached roots. “The translocation process was not completely followed with the crane abruptly removing the tree without following proper procedure. Most roots suffered damage, and the government violated its own order as it did not permit cutting of branches.
Furthermore, the absence of the Range Forest Officer, required to oversee the process, raises concerns, as he left the site before the tree’s uprooting, he stated.
