PANAJI
Nearly 500 fully grown trees in the State would be axed to facilitate three projects including one by the State government as the Tree Authority of Goa granted permission for the same.
The Authority has accepted the recommendation made by the Deputy Conservator of Forest (DCF), North to axe 209 trees for establishment of Indo-Israel's State of the Art Centre of Excellence in Agriculture. This project is a partnership project of Indo-Israel Agriculture Projects for vegetables and flowers with Hi-Tech interventions under the centrally sponsored scheme, Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH).
The State agriculture department had proposed felling of 288 trees for the purpose of establishment of the centre. The department, in its proposal, said that the project is for the benefit of the farming community of the State of Goa, with Hi-Tech interventions in the Agriculture sector.
Accordingly, DCF North recommended felling of 209 trees, which was accepted by the Authority.
In another permission, the Authority allowed cutting 153 trees for the purpose of railway development and electrification works of Indian Railways for Majorda to Vasco section. The proposal was moved by the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited.
The Authority approved the proposal based on the recommendation from the DCF, South division.
In the third project, following recommendation from the DCF South, the Authority granted nod to Daffodil Hotels Pvt. Ltd, Arossim, Mormugao to cut 105 trees for construction of a resort. The project proponent had sought permission to cut 136 trees. Based on 2020 permission, it has already cut around 18 trees.
However, the project proponent was asked to move a fresh proposal in view of the amendments made in Goa Preservation of Trees Act 1984, wherein all development projects involving area more than one-hectare are to be referred to the Tree Authority.
As the proposed project area was around 2.735 ha, the project proponent applied afresh.
