PORVORIM
Decrying the cutting of trees for construction activities in Porvorim, Tourism Minister Rohan Khaunte on Tuesday alleged that a syndicate is operating in the Porvorim constituency and carrying out illegal constructions in connivance with government officials.
“Massive illegal hill-cutting and land grabbing activities are being reported specially in Bardez these days. It is high time the government sets up a Special Inspection Team (SIT) to probe into such illegal activities and book the culprits, failing which the green cover in villages will soon disappear,” said Khaunte.
Khaunte was speaking to reporters after inspecting a construction project underway in the private forest of Salvador do Mundo in the presence of officials from the TCP department, BDO and forest departments, Porvorim Police Sub Inspector Pratik Bhat, and the sarpanch and panch members of Salvador do Mundo.
However, the landowner and the contractor involved in the construction did not turn up for the site inspection.
During the inspection, Khaunte was informed that the construction is going on in a private forest without permission from the forest department or the Salvador do Mundo panchayat.
A TCP official displayed the project plans to Khaunte but was unable to respond to queries raised by the minister.
“A syndicate is operating in Porvorim constituency in connivance with government officials to carry out hill cutting and illegal constructions. This syndicate was involved in hill cutting and cutting of trees in Joswado-Socorro. The same syndicate has now begun operations in Salvador do Mundo,” Khaunte told reporters.
“Permission for this project as well as access road has been given by the TCP department without the knowledge of the Salvador do Mundo panchayat. Surprisingly, the panchayat has not raised objection to the project.”
Khaunte said he has directed TCP officials to review the plans of the project and to revoke the license to the project if found illegal.
“Massive illegal hill-cutting and land grabbing activities are being reported specially in Bardez these days. It is high time the government sets up a Special Inspection Team (SIT) to probe into such illegal activities and book the culprits, failing which the green cover in villages will soon disappear,” said Khaunte.
Khaunte was speaking to reporters after inspecting a construction project underway in the private forest of Salvador do Mundo in the presence of officials from the TCP department, BDO and forest departments, Porvorim Police Sub Inspector Pratik Bhat, and the sarpanch and panch members of Salvador do Mundo.
However, the landowner and the contractor involved in the construction did not turn up for the site inspection.
During the inspection, Khaunte was informed that the construction is going on in a private forest without permission from the forest department or the Salvador do Mundo panchayat.
A TCP official displayed the project plans to Khaunte but was unable to respond to queries raised by the minister.
“A syndicate is operating in Porvorim constituency in connivance with government officials to carry out hill cutting and illegal constructions. This syndicate was involved in hill cutting and cutting of trees in Joswado-Socorro. The same syndicate has now begun operations in Salvador do Mundo,” Khaunte told reporters.
“Permission for this project as well as access road has been given by the TCP department without the knowledge of the Salvador do Mundo panchayat. Surprisingly, the panchayat has not raised objection to the project.”
Khaunte said he has directed TCP officials to review the plans of the project and to revoke the license to the project if found illegal.
