MAPUSA
In 2018, a large number of villagers participated in a protest rally against rampant tree felling on the Bom Viagem hill in Calangute. Politicians of every hue including some panchayat members of the then ruling group also participated in the rally and vowed to protect the hill come what may.
Enter 2022. A large part of the hill has been shaved off. Trees have also been cut, and work on a building project is going on in full steam in the area.
On Friday, several concerned villagers gathered at the site once again.
This time, however, it was to participate in the site inspection called by the Calangute panchayat based on a complaint filed by the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF).
Calangute sarpanch Joseph Sequeira, panchayat secretary and the ward member were also present for the inspection.
Preliminary reports suggest that hill cutting has been carried out in the area beyond the permissible limits. Evidence of destruction of the green cover was also visible at the place.
Panchayat authorities are checking whether the developer has obtained permission for hill cutting under 17 A of the TCP Act.
“During the inspection, we noticed that hill cutting has taken place at the site. Also, the project proponent does not have permission for hill cutting under 17 A of the TCP Act. We have called a meeting of all the parties in the panchayat office on Monday and accordingly, the next course of action will be decided,” Sequeira said.
CCF president Premanand Diukar said protecting the green environment was their ultimate objective in the interest of the village.
“We suspect some mischief being played while issuing permission for the project. We demand an inquiry on administrative actions taken by the then panchayat secretary of Calangute Raghuvir Baghkar. The previous panchayat body should also come clean on the commitment given to the people of Calangute to protect the Boa Viagem hill,” Diukar said.
It may be recalled that on November 11, 2018, a large number of villagers of Calangute in association with CCF had organised a protest rally against tree felling on the Bom Viagem hill and demanded that all other hills and fields in the village that were marked as settlement be reverted to the original status of orchard or no development zone.
The then members of the panchayat also took part in the rally and pledged in front of a large gathering that they would not allow any destruction of greenery on the hill.
“Despite its assurance to protect the hill, the previous panchayat went ahead to issue permission to the developer for construction in 2020. The Director of Panchayat directed the local authority to decide on the project as per the record of the panchayat,” the CCF chief said.
He further said that CCF will do everything within its power to save the hill even if it’s required to knock on the doors of the court.
