PANJIM: The protest led by St Estevam residents along with the Green Brigade led to the stoppage of the on-going work of the bundh. The villagers had been protesting the reconstruction of the bundh as they suspected it would be used as a road for big projects planned on the other side of the bundh.
The protest also highlighted the cutting of mangroves during the reconstruction that violated the law, as the site is an eco-sensitive area and therefore no plantation or trees can be cut.
However, villagers observed attempts of destruction on Wednesday, a day after the protest, as some workers were seen clearing half cut trees to hide evidence of the violation. The villagers stopped the workers from doing so and complained to the CRZ Management.
Green Brigade Group co-ordinator Avertino Miranda said, “Day-and-night vigil will be conducted by Green Brigade to prevent any damage to the nature and the bundh.” He stated that a video of the violation has been taken by villagers and will be produced while filing a petition with the National Green Tribunal-Pune.
“If GCZMA doesn’t take action we will be forced to stage more protests at the Cupa Manus bundh and other bundhs facing the same issue,” he said. Miranda also demanded restoration of the mangroves that have been destroyed and demanded that an assurance should be given by the authorities that the original size of the bundh should be retained and that the bundh will not be converted into a motorable road.
The villagers along with the Green Brigade stated that those behind the destruction of nature and the bundh should be penalised and the work put on permanent hold.
