the goan I network
MAPUSA
For the moment the coconut trees along the Guirim-Porvorim NH 17 (renamed NH 66) have been spared, but several trees along the route have been hacked to make way for the ongoing expansion of the highway.
Green activists saw red on Saturday when they spotted a JCB and several labourers mercilessly chopping down small and big trees on the left side of the highway while moving towards Panaji.
According to the activists, the chopping exercise began on Thursday evening and was mostly carried late in the evening under the cover of darkness.
Besides some rain trees,
a huge banyan tree soon
after the petrol pump on the highway was also brought down.
“We strongly condemn the indiscriminate, reckless and unnecessary cutting of trees along the Guirim highway. Many of the huge trees cut were part of the protected coconut tree avenue all aligned in one row and the butchering of these trees providing shade and green cover on the national highway is illegal and uncalled for,” said Avertino Miranda, co-ordinator of Goa Green Brigade.
“Earlier this week, several coconut trees were cut overnight in a clandestine manner and its wood was quickly removed to cover-up the crime,” Miranda added.
President of Porvorim
Citizens Forum Wilbur
Ticlo said after getting complaints from people, he informed Porvorim police to verify whether all permissions were obtained to cut the trees.
The widening of the national highway is part of the four/six lane project from Patradevi in North Goa to Pollem in South Goa.
