PANAJI
The transplantation agency, Doctor Trees, Thursday informed the High Court of Bombay at Goa that it has translocated two trees from the site of the elevated corridor project in Porvorim.
The agency, which has been made a respondent in the case, has been directed to provide regular updates to the Court on the felling and translocation of trees along the project stretch.
The Division Bench of Justice M S Karnik and Justice Nivedita Mehta further directed the State government to implement additional safeguards for the remaining trees on the stretch, after a partial felling of a Banyan tree meant for translocation.
During the hearing, the petitioner sought to include the agency as a respondent to ensure clarity on the process involving six trees, including three Banyans and a Peepal. The Bench accepted the request while adjourning the matter to Monday.
On Wednesday, the Bench slammed the government for failing to protect trees endangered by the Porvorim flyover construction. It warned that the project could be halted if safeguards and proper translocation measures are not implemented. It also sought an inquiry into the alleged attack on a Banyan tree by a JCB machine during a translocation attempt on December 3.
Along the Guirim to Neo Majestic stretch, the government had initially marked around 616 trees for felling. Public protests forced authorities to agree to translocate six Banyan trees while sparing nine other ancient trees. The government submitted that the PWD had engaged a specialised agency called 'Doctor Trees' for the translocation process.
