The hill cutting issue in Calangute constituency shows that illegal hill-cutting has become rampant can cause landslides, loss of biodiversity, etc. It highlights the blatant disregard to environmental concerns for commercial gains that has been the bane of the state and its fast depleting green cover. Just because people have bought land, they think they can come and destroy the natural habitat and try to convert it into palatial mansions and bungalows. Such destruction cannot happen without the politicians and those in the higher echelons being unaware of circumstances. It's disconcerting that the individuals with connections to power continue to demolish hills or hilly areas around Goa. Since Goa shares an environment similar to that of Kerala, environmentalists question whether it is wise to push for unbridled development, considering the havoc that Kerala faced in the past floods. It's time now for civil society members and greens to hold the authorities concerned accountable. The government authorities should take a firm stance in this regard, and pursue a policy of zero tolerance to any threat posed to the environment.
