Protest in Chimbel to save 31 trees on Provedoria property today

The protest, which will begin from 10 am, is being supported by the Chimbel Gram Seva Kala ani Sanskrutik Manch and Revolutionary Goans.

The protestors seek to highlight that the trees can be saved if the dilapidated Old Aged Home building is demolished to make way for the project.

The tender by the Provedoria for the cutting and disposal of 31 trees in its property at Chimbel has opened a Pandora’s box, with several locals objecting to the plan and appealing to authorities to demolish the dilapidated Old Aged home and build their project there.

Ever since the tender notice has been published in a local daily, worried locals have shot off letters to the panchayat as well as the Provedoria authorities, requesting to put the proposed felling of trees on hold and look at the alternative.

In his letter to the Director, Institute of Public Assistance (Provedoria), a local Tukaram Kunkolkar said there is absolutely no need to fell the 31 age-old trees.

“As you are aware, there is already old aged building structure existing on the said survey which is not in use for old aged home as it is not safe. The new project can be set up by demolishing the existing unsafe structure,” Kunkolkar stated in his letter.

“That way, not a single tree needs to be felled and your authority must not neglect this option in saving these trees,” opined Kunkolkar, while requesting a review of the project.

Another local, Ajay Kholkar, has also objected to the cutting of the trees and has sought clarification from authorities concerned like the Institute of Public Assistance and local MLA on the need to fell the trees.

In his petition to the Chimbel sarpanch, Kholkar has said the felling of the trees must be kept on hold until all details are received from Provedoria officials.

“These are century-old trees and disposing them off will result in massive environmental destruction,” Kholkar pointed out.