VASCO
Claiming they had no option but to chop down the trees since they wanted to develop the commercial property, the partner of the Vasco-based real estate firm has assured to replace the felled coconut trees by planting an equal number along the compound wall in the property.
Speaking to The Goan telephonically from the construction site at Canacona, Amit C Prabhu, partner of Prabhu Realtors, stated that they had applied to cut 45 coconut trees.
“As per the government notification in the gazette, we have applied to the Agriculture Department for necessary permission (to cut the coconut trees),” said Prabhu.
“In our application, we have mentioned that we will be cutting 45 coconut trees and the same will be replaced along the compound wall of the project.”
“Acting on our application, officials at the agriculture department inspected our area and directed us to approach the forest department,” Prabhu added.
“During our visit to the forest department, the officials handling the cutting of trees informed that they are not aware of the government notification, and that, the file would be forwarded to the government. A forest department official further informed that they can permit us to only cut sick, dead or dangerous coconut trees.”
Prabhu informed that sufficient time had been given to authorities to act in the matter.
“Ours is a commercial land with a commercial sanad and the project coming is commercial. We have all necessary permissions from the Canacona Municipal Council, Town and Country planning and CRZ,” said Prabhu.
“We waited for 45 days after submitting our application to cut the coconut trees to the department concerned and till date, we did not get any reply from the authority.”
“It is a commercial project and we could not wait any longer as the cost of the material is increasing every passing day. Hence, we had to start cutting the coconut trees,” added Prabhu.
“We are committed to our assurance which is given in writing to authorities that we will replace the 45 coconut trees along the compound wall before the commissioning of the project. If The Goan want the documents, it will be provided without any hesitation," said Prabhu.
