TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2024
Team Herald
MARGAO: In a display of frustration and concern for the environment, residents of Bacbhat-Raia have vehemently objected to the alleged illegal hill-cutting and tree-felling in the vicinity of the Sonsoddo dump yard. Gathering at the site on Tuesday, citizens resolved to oppose the environmental degradation and submitted a memorandum to the Raia village panchayat.
Isidor Rodrigues, former Sarpanch of the Raia village panchayat, expressed dismay over the destruction of the orchard land and emphasised the need for immediate action to prevent further environmental harm.
"Several trees are being axed here, besides the cutting off the hill illegally. This will be another Moti Dongor if not stopped immediately," he said.
Citizens have vowed to escalate their concerns by submitting a memorandum to the local panchayat, urging them to refrain from issuing any No Objection Certificate (NOC) for such activities. They warned that continued environmental degradation could lead to the transformation of the area into a concrete jungle.
Responding to the issue, Peter Quadros, the Sarpanch of the Raia village panchayat, stated that the panchayat had not yet received any official communication regarding the matter. He affirmed that the panchayat would consider appropriate action upon receiving objection letters from citizens.
