CANACONA
The forest department has registered a case against a Swami on charges of felling trees at Vape-Sadolxem in Poinguinim-Canacona.
According to Canacona RFO Anand Mestri, Swami alias Raaj Shashibhushan Pandey has been booked on charges of illegally felling around 30 trees to construct an allegedly illegal road and an illegal structure at Vape hillock at Sadolxem-Poinguinim.
Raaj Shashibhushan Pandey is reportedly a resident of Pernem. It is learnt that the forest department after investigation will impose a fine on the Swami, who is alleged to have engaged in hill-cutting and constructing a structure to house his Ashram.
Ward panch Shilpa Prabhu Gaonkar had initially raised concern and reported the matter to the Panchayat.
The Poinguinim panchayat later resolved to demolish the ashram on grounds that it is illegal and did not have any permission of authorities for the structure.
Following a complaint with revenue authorities, officials carried out an inspection of the ashram, and Canacona Dy Collector Ramesh Gaonkar has also sought the report in the matter.
In the meantime, the Poinguinim panchayat has sent notices to the water and electricity departments to disconnect the connections to the Ashram.
The panchayat has also written to the TCP and forest department to inspect the site at Vape-Sadolxem and initiate action.
The issue had dominated the last Gram Sabha at Poingunim and members raised serious concerns over destruction to the environment and accused the Swami of bypassing rules and regulations.
A resolution was passed to demolish the structure and initiated action against the Swami.
