MARGAO: The Loutolim Village Panchayat and villagers on Friday were in total shock when they discovered alleged massive illegal hill cutting being carried out, besides trees being axed to develop a playing ground at the plateau of the Verna Industrial Estate in the panchayat’s jurisdiction.
Sarpanch Joana Fernandes informed Herald that the panchayat has not issued any permission for the said activities and they are in dark over the illegal hill cutting activities.
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It has been informed that one of the sarpanch from the neighbouring village is involved in the alleged illegal hill cutting activities. The board erected at the site only states about the playing ground and no other details which are required as per the Town and Country Planning Department rules.
At the site, it was witnessed that major illegal hill cutting has been done and machinery engaged over here is in the process of further land excavation activities.
Sarpanch and villagers of Loutolim grilled the workers at the site and forced them to stop the work immediately. Flying squad of TCP was also called to the site. The said activity is going on in Ward No 1 of the village panchayat.
Sarpanch Joana told reporters that upon the complaint of villagers she along with others rushed at the site on Friday and it was shocking to witness major illegal hill cutting activities was carried out at the site.
“We have even noticed several trees have been axed. The panchayat had not issued any permission for the said activity, which as per the board displayed at the site says that it is a cricket playing ground being developed over here. Panchayat was totally in the dark on the issue,” she stated.
A villager Ramiro Mascarenhas said that he has noticed that a cricket ground is being developed over here but illegally.
“There should be some approvals from the concerned authorities such as the Town and Country Planning Department, but nothing is seen on the board. Even the panchayat was unaware about the said activities. Shockingly, hill cutting has been done over here that too just below the high tension power supply line,” he informed.
He demanded strict action against the culprits involved in the illegal activities.
