The biodiversity board of Collem panchayat has expressed fears that the proposed double tracking of the Southern Western Railway (SWR) will destroy the natural beauty of Dudhsagar waterfalls. The panchayat further opposed any construction for widening of the same at Collem.
Locals added that they are not against development projects but are concerned that the identity of the village will be lost due to all the construction activity and urged all to come forward and protect the village.
Collem Sarpanch Manish Lambore added that the village panchayat and its biodiversity board had written to SWR a year ago, opposing any sort of construction near Dudhsagar waterfall. The sarpanch, who is also the chairman of the village biodiversity board, explained that locals believe that the double tracking proposal would entail additional construction, which would lead to widening of the existing single track that connects to the Dudhsagar Bridge. Locals further questioned the need for the same given that there is one track already.
Sources claimed that the State Wildlife Board indicated that around 19,185 trees would be cut for the double tracking, which includes the Castle Rock to Collem- Margao stretch.
The State Wildlife Board had in its December 2017 meeting, decided to recommend the proposal of doubling the SWR track to the National Wildlife Board.
Sarpanch Lambore added that for the last two years, the locals and the village biodiversity board have opposed any fresh construction at Dudhsagar for the railway widening.
Locals also claimed that along with the highway project at Mollem and the proposed railway double tracking at Collem, around 50 thousand trees could be cut in the wildlife area.
