PANAJI
Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar on Saturday disclosed that only seven coconut trees had been cut to make way for an upcoming project in Ambdai, Quepem.
It was alleged that nearly 500 coconut trees would be cut to inorder to facilitate Vani Agro’s alcohol project in Quepem.
Addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in Panaji, Arlekar said, “This is just hearsay. I have the record. Only seven trees have been cut. When they had made an application, at that time it was verified by our round forest officers in July 2015 and this amendment has come in January 2016. Don’t try to relate unnecessarily.”
He said, “After they made an application in July 2015, round forest officer conducted an inspection when I was not even a minister. They gave a report that this is neither a government nor a private forest; it has also not been identified by the committee which has been constituted for identification of forests.”
He, however, said any number of coconut trees can be cut which are in any person’s private area. Arlekar also informed that the amendment was suggested after holding discussions at various levels.
“We can look at this issue in two ways “ there can be academic discussion or politically-motivated discussion. We are ready for academic discussion at any point of time. But there some people making allegations with political agenda in mind. Even if you try and make them understand they will say that there is political angle to it”, he said.
He reiterated, the amendment has been done to help Goan farmers take up coconut cultivation commercially.
“Coconut is a commercial crop and if there is no commercial viability nobody will take it up. Presently, Goa’s three varieties “ Benaulim, Nanora and Calangute yield 32 coconuts on an average”, he said.
Stating that presently there are varieties of coconut which yield upto 350 coconuts a year, Arlekar said, “If these have to be planted the existing ones need to be removed. You need to replant by removing the original tree. So to help Goan farmers, this amendment has been made. There is no need for politics on this.”
