the goan I network
PONDA
Dharbandora Mamlatdar Laxmikant Kuttikar along with the forest officials and police on Wednesday inspected the laterite stone quarries that are operating illegally in unclassified forest area at Petaki-Dharbandora.
The excavators, truckers and labourers fled from the spot minutes before the officials reached the site.
The Goan correspondent, who was at the site before the arrival of the officials, witnessed the truckers leaving the place, while the workers also dispersed from the area and within a short period of time, the quarries wore a deserted look.
An area of about 7 lakh square metres in this unclassified forest is having a rocky area at many places and over six stone quarries in one portion of land are in operation.
Sources from the forest office informed that 15 days back, the offenders were told to stop the controversial activities.
"We had told them to stop the activities, but they continued. As this land is unclassified, we have no power to act against them. Only DCF and high-rank officers can act against them," a forest
staff said on condition of anonymity.
According to the forest officer, this land is recorded as Goa Daman and Diu and officers at the level of range forest are not able to act against the trespassers.
Speaking to The Goan, Mamlatdar Kuttikar said they went to the site to raid, but no machinery was found. "We have inspected the area and it was clear that illegal activities are taking place. As this land is unclassified forest, I will write to the Forest department to file an FIR against the offenders," he said.
It was noted that there are some houses in the area and the Mamlatdar will seek a checklist from the talathi. "I had gone to the site with an intension to raid the laterite stone quarries, but when we reached, nothing was
found. But through our inspection, it is evident that quarries are operating here," he added.
Sources from forest department informed that a couple of years ago, the Mines and Geology Department had conducted joint inspection of these quarries, but they are still operating.
