THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2024
Team Herald
Activists on Monday raised a serious concern over the felling of trees along Margao ring road between Comba subway and the Colva road in the name of trimming of trees. The trees did not pose any threat to the commuters nor were they on the verge of falling on the road. Activists expressed anger stating that there was an ulterior motive behind this act and demanded immediate suspension of the concerned officer who was absent when the felling took place.
On Monday, numerous trees which were more than 50 years old, were being felled without the knowledge of the District Collector. By the time Margao activists could reach the spot, an already ample number of trees were chopped from their trunks. This enraged the activists, who swiftly reached the spot and raised their voices against the cruelty. If any tree is on the verge of falling or posing any threat, then as per the law only trimming the tree is allowed and not cutting the tree from its roots.
“If you check clearly, the trees which are felled are inside the forest. The trees which are adjacent along the road are not touched a bit. Whereas the trees which were cut, they were perfectly good as their branches were not even reaching the road. So how come those age-old trees are felled and not the roadside? This indicates that there is a personal motive behind which the concerned officer has allowed this work without informing the administration,” said an activist.
The activists immediately called the forest department, local police and the district collector and informed them about the situation to which they replied saying that they were unaware of the situation and would send an officer to inspect the situation.
The activist urged the government to blacklist the contractor who is behind the act. They also demanded that the officer who is in charge of this operation needs to be removed immediately from his position.
