Team Herald

SINQUERIM: A site inspection at the Sinquerim hillock opposite the fishing jetty on Monday revealed that around 75 trees were felled in two properties.

Following complaints of several trees were felled in the two properties, a forest guard and a round officer on Monday along with the complainants visited the site. 

A forest official on condition of anonymity said the documents could not prove as to who owned the property. 

“We found a total of 42 trees and 33 trees felled in the two properties. Panchanama and further inspection will be carried out on Tuesday as it was late. The trees felled were of 30-60 cms and could be used as firewood,” the forest official informed.

On Monday, the Sinquerim residents along with Roshan Mathias submitted complaint copies regarding clearing of forest area and illegal cutting of trees to the Range Forest Officer, GCZMA, North Goa Collector, Governor, and SP North Goa. They will also submit a copy to Candolim Panchayat.

Earlier, on Friday, as Sinquerim locals were busy celebrating the feast of St Lawrence, a group of over 20 labourers were busy clearing a portion of the green cover at the Sinquerim hillock. The incident came to light the next morning when the locals spotted several workers entering the property.

Suspecting something fishy, a few locals gathered and followed the trail. After entering the hilly area, it was noticed that the workers armed with sickles, choppers, chain saws and grass cutters were busy clearing a forest portion. It was noticed that several trees were cut. To prevent further destruction, the locals informed the Calangute Police on Saturday at 10 am. Forest Guard, Nilesh Tari was also informed by the Sinquerim locals but he failed to visit the spot due to other commitments.

The timely intervention of the locals helped in stopping the operation. 

Roshan Mathias, an activist from Candolim, along with other residents strongly objected to this illegal felling of trees. 

On August 11, the locals gave a written complaint to the police informing them about this activity and action be initiated.  The police came and stopped the work but informed them that they will have to give a written complaint, which would be forwarded to the forest department as their job was only to handle law and order.

“We spotted over 20 people with all tree felling equipment in the said property. After noticing this illegal felling of trees, we immediately informed the police. The labourers were stopped and asked to produce documents but they failed to do so. Unfortunately, later in the day they returned with more workers accompanied by bouncers,” Roshan informed.

“There is no chance of getting permission to cut trees here as it falls in the CRZ area and No Development Zone as per the Regional Plan,” he added.

Panch Fermino Fernandes visited the site and brought the work to a halt. 

He asked the workers at the site to furnish the permission to cut trees and they failed to do. Hence they were asked to stop the work and move from there.

Vice-President of the Calangute Citizens Forum, Benedict D’Souza alleged that the reason behind this open hill-cutting is a lobby having an eye on the Sinquerim hillock. 

“The Calangute constituency has become a hotspot for evils and this is a plan of destruction through ODP. Hill cutting is taking place on a large scale at Sinquerim to make way for big projects. We will not allow destruction of our hills,” he warned.