PANAJI
Cases of rampant tree felling and violation of the Preservation of Trees Act will be dealt with strictly by the Forest department, Minister Vishwajit Rane said on Friday.
Rane, who holds the health, TCP, and forest portfolios, also said that illegal land-filling will be cracked down upon. He said, directions have been issued to officials regarding action to be taken against those filling low-lying land illegally.
According to Rane, individuals obtain permissions to cut trees from the Deputy Conservator of Forest in both North and South Goa, and armed with it, they go on a rampage violating the permissions granted and also the law.
“Such people will face harsh consequences. A formal complaint (FIR) will be made. The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests has been issued instructions, and offenders will be punished severely,” Rane said.
ILLEGAL LANDFILLING
Rane, who also holds the TCP portfolio, said that multiple cases of illegal landfilling have been brought to the notice of the government and in all these incidents, a formal complaint will be lodged with strong enforcement measures being taken against the alleged violators of the TCP law.
Citing a specific case in Mencurem where plotting of land is being carried out, Bicholim, Rane said, officials of both the TCP and Forest departments will take action based on a complaint filed by local MLA Chandrakant Shetye.
“Plotting of land under the TCP Act has several requirements which must be adhered to in full. If they are broken, a formal complaint will be filed, and legal action will be taken,” he said.
