Indiscriminate cutting of trees and development on the slope has devastated the Bom Viagem hill which serves as the lungs of Calangute village.
MAPUSA
Expressing concern over the devastation of Bom Viagem hill in Calangute, the village Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) has written to the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) asking it to declare the hill as eco-sensitive or heritage site.
The BMC said that the hill which is known for its rich biodiversity and serene environment has suffered from the reckless actions of developers who have indiscriminately cut down trees in a vast tract of land.
“The green fabric of ecosystem of the Calangute is under threat with haphazard ways of clearing the files by the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department for the development of projects in low lying areas and on the slope of Boa Viagem hill having gradient of more than 1:10,” said Chairman of BMC, Benedict Lobo in a letter to the member secretary of the GSBB.
“This hill has long been cherished by the local community and visitors alike for its unique and irreplaceable ecosystem. It is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, many of which are endemic and endangered. The hill’s dense vegetation not only provides habitat and sustenance for numerous species but also plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in the region,” he added.
Recently, during an inspection of the Bom Viagem hill, the GSBB officials found a lot of medicinal plants and unique biodiversity in the area.
On Monday, a GSBB official along with a member of World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Calangtue BMC and 12 members of prominent villagers of Calangute held a meeting in the local panchayat office.
The BMC has urged the board to take immediate steps to restore the greenery of the Bom Viagem hill and to ensure that the flagrant disregard to the environment does not go unpunished.
It further said that stricter regulations were needed to safeguard eco-sensitive areas like Bom Viagem hill from future encroachments and destruction.
“We implore you to use your esteemed position to champion the cause of environmental conservation and protection and have it declared as an eco-sensitive or heritage site. Together, we can work towards a sustainable and harmonious future for Calangute village and its precious natural heritage,” the BMC letter said.
