Chaos in Porvorim as Sacred Banyan Tree Uprooted and Khapreshwar Shrine Demolished by Authorities

PORVORIM:   Chaos erupted on Sunday, March 02^nd 2025 when the government along with law enforcement became the “villains” for the Porvorim residents as their beloved Banyan Tree near Voddakade was uprooted and the Khapreshwar shrine demolished with the Khapreshwar Idol being shifted near JMJ hospital, Porvorim. The sacred Banyan tree was divided into different sections as the state government lacked the necessary infrastructure to carry the century-old Banyan tree for translocation.

Chaos erupted on Sunday, March 2^nd 2025 when the government along with law enforcement became the villains for the Porvorim residents as their beloved Banyan Tree near Voddakade was uprooted and the Khapreshwar shrine demolished with the Khapreshwar Idol being shifted near JMJ hospital, Porvorim. The sacred Banyan tree was divided into different sections as the state government lacked the necessary infrastructure to carry the century-old Banyan tree for translocation.

This enraged the activists and residents who with their entire might retaliated and questioned the police authorities on what basis were they demolishing the shrine when the order was passed for the translocation of the Banyan Tree.

Social activist Swapnesh Sherlekar pointed out that, as per the High Court order, the PWD has permission to translocate the banyan tree but has no authority to remove the Khapreshwar idol. He alleged that the contractor was using a gas cutter to remove bells from the temple.

Let’s get to the bottom of the matter:

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Aaron Victor E Fernandes in 2024 highlighting concerns about the potential negative environmental effects of relocating trees from their original location to low-lying areas in the Socorro region, likely raising issues related to flooding and the overall health of the transplanted trees in vulnerable areas.

The PIL regarding the Vaddakade banyan tree was a miscellaneous petition as part of Siolim Tree Saving Petition. The PIL sought a court order to halt or re-evaluate the tree relocation plan to minimize environmental damage. 

The High Court of Bombay at Goa on 13^th September 2024 expressed its concern over the absence of a critical study as mandated by law while giving permission to cut as many as 612 trees and translocating four trees for the six-lane elevated corridor being built from Guirim to Porvorim.

The Court had directed the Tree Authority Goa to conduct a critical study with regard to the felling and plantation of trees.

7 Dec 2024

Concerned citizens and environmentalists gathered for a candlelight protest, voicing their opposition to the proposed translocation of the banyan tree at Porvorim, believed to be over 200 years old. Protesters argued that moving the tree would effectively spell its demise, as it has long served as a habitat for a diverse array of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, butterflies and insects.

12 Dec 2024

The High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the State government to implement additional safeguards for the remaining trees impacted by the construction of the six-lane elevated corridor project in Porvorim. This directive follows the crude chopping of a banyan tree that was initially slated for translocation.

The court allowed the petitioner to include the transplantation agency, Doctor Trees from Telangana, as a respondent in the ongoing Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

16 Dec 2024

The concerned citizens and activists held a candlelight protest to save the centuries-old massive banyan tree at Vodakode which will soon be translocated as it comes in the way of the elevated corridor in Porvorim.

The court has directed Hyderabad-based firm Doctor Tree, contracted to oversee the translocation of six trees affected by the Porvorim elevated corridor project, to submit a detailed affidavit by January 20 outlining the methodology for translocation.

15 Jan 2025

 In an order that was cheered by green activists, the Bombay High Court at Goa issued an interim stay on the translocation of the heritage banyan tree at Vodakade, Porvorim. The stay will remain in effect until the next hearing on January 21.

29 Jan 2025

State govt on 29 Jan 2025 told the high court it will arrange a joint meeting of stakeholders to ensure that the last banyan tree at Porvorim is translocated in the best manner possible.

The division bench comprising justices M S Karnik and Nivedita Mehta told the authorities to ensure the tree is translocated with minimal damage and told the agency not to try to cut costs when it comes to the translocation of the large banyan tree.

25 Feb 2025

A part of the lone banyan tree at Vodakade, Porvorim was damaged allegedly by the contractor building the elevated six-lane corridor on Monday night.

02 March 2025

The Police authorities and government officials faced the wrath of activists and residents of Porvorim when they arrived to translocate the age-old Banyan tree on Sunday 2^nd March 2025.

The Banyan tree was the last remaining tree that was posing a hindrance for the six-lane elevated corridor work.

Residents were guarding the shrine and temple late Sunday night so that their idol was not taken without their knowledge. They warned the government and CM Pramod Sawant to take back his decision otherwise the curse of the Lord Khapreshwar would be brutal.

CM Pramod Sawant late at night assured the residents that govt will rebuild Dev Khapreshwar Devasthan at the place where the Banyan tree will be translocated. But the workers in the wee hours of Monday morning around 3 am arrived in a mini truck, took the idol and demolished the shrine.

3 March  2025

The age-old banyan tree was uprooted. Activists called out the BJP government, Bajrang dal and Hindutva leaders for not showing up and therefore supporting the destruction of the Hindu deity.

The BJP was very much interested in building the Ram Mandir but not our Khapreshwar temple, highlighted activists.