the goan I network
PANAJI
Residents of Porvorim under the banner of United Porvorim Citizens Forum have hit out at the government authorities, especially the panchayat, and accused these of bypassing procedures completely in an unabashed show of power.
Addressing a press conference, Avertino Miranda pointed out that in a recent judgement the Bombay High Court at Goa spelt out that all the procedures as mandated by law needed to be followed while felling of trees or development. Reasons have to be recorded, the trees have to be marked and other procedures have to be followed, he pointed out.
“In this case, authorities have resorted to hill-cutting in the name of road widening without any plans, without seeing whether private people’s lands are being affected. Where is the land acquisition? Socorro panchayat has not only blatantly violated this HC order, but also not taken any permissions to cut trees from the forest department,” Miranda charged.
The forum said that they approached local MLA Rohan Khaunte, but were only met by deafening silence. “If this continues, the forum will be compelled to initiate appropriate democratic and peaceful protests and also initiate legal action to uphold the law and save the environment,” he warned.
The forum has pointed out that the hill slopes of Socorro which extend right up to Aldona are a rich biodiversity hotspot and fuel the Torda lake which is a source of sustenance for all the villages in the vicinity.
Last month, the Bombay HC at Goa cancelled permissions given to fell trees at the Mopa airport site. It ordered that a tree officer record should reasons and attempt to save trees if possible while issuing permissions.
“In this case, an unmarked JCB started cutting of a hill slope at Bobde for road widening without any permissions. The flying squad was called before the work started. In response to complaints and as an afterthought, the sarpanch of Socorro provided a written NOC for road widening ostensibly under CSR activity,” Miranda said.
President of the Forum Wilbur Ticlo pointed out that the village panchayat has no authority to grant permission for road widening.
“There has been no procedure for land acquisition or compensation, which means all properties along this stretch are under danger of trespass,” Ticlo added.
The United Porvorim Citizens Forum will complain to the Chief Secretary and Vigilance Department about the breakdown in government machinery “in the face of such rampant illegalities and demanded an inquiry into the cause of this corruption and who is involved.”
