PONDA: While heavy rains and gusty winds have caused several trees to collapse in Kavlem, some of which have fallen on the houses and on the road side, the Kavlem Village Panchayat Sarpanch Rajesh Kavlekar said the two temples committees are not cooperating in cutting dangerous trees.   

He also said the forest department is not cooperating and how they can ask for ownership documents which the tenants and mundkars lack. 

Several incidents of dangerous tree falls have raised concerns in the village including that of an electric pole and wires were damaged after a huge tree fell on it at Galashirem. Elsewhere, trees were uprooted at Farmagudi near GVM College. Also, houses at Kavlem, Savoiverem, Panchawadi were also affected by the rains. 

Kavlekar said that the two temple committees are not cooperating with the panchayat with regards to cutting of trees that pose danger to the public. 

He referred to how locals have been cutting trees that lean on their houses and if they fall, can damage the property and cause injuries to the residents. 

He said that for the last 20 years he has been trying to cut the trees and further added that temples committees and forest department will be held responsible for any untoward incident. 

Under Section 66 of Panchayat Raj, he has sent notices to two temples of Kavlem but said they are still not cooperating and added one temple committee suggested preserving age old trees under the 2008 Preservation of Trees Act.