A retired High Court judge launched the “Enough is Enough” campaign in Goa to draw attention to environmental damage caused by unchecked construction. Earlier findings revealed large-scale illegal hill cutting for building projects. Several builders were also found to have encroached on agricultural land. The retired judge, Ferdin Rebello, alleged that permissions for hill cutting were being granted by misusing certain provisions that do not have the force of law. He said this showed that village panchayats and some government authorities were allowing the misuse of farmland and hill slopes.
Recent reports of illegal hill cutting at Reis Magos raised serious concern. The Bombay High Court at Goa did not grant immediate relief in a petition on the issue. While the State claimed no illegal activity was found, videos and photographs showed evidence of hill cutting. It was also alleged that contractors were removing and selling soil in the name of road works. Goa has recorded over 300 hill-cutting cases in three years, with Bardez reporting the highest number.
