The Valpoi- Honda route, which was once considered as natural heritage of Goa for its thick forest, is losing its sheen on account of deforestation and dumping of waste.
This natural heritage is under threat due to the rampant dumping of waste along the road side from Bhuipal to Valpoi.
The route, which comes under the jurisdiction of two village panchayats – Mauxi and Honda and a civic body – Valpoi Municipal Council (VMC), is a reserved forest area and dumping of garbage is prevented under the Reserved Forest Act 1971.
The concerned authorities have failed to curb the garbage menace in the area.
At many places, waste such as construction debris and vegetables are dumped along the main road proceeding towards Valpoi and Honda, which has turned into an eyesore.
On several occasions in the past, members of various clubs and social activists have been demanding that the authorities take the matter seriously to preserve environment by make the area garbage-free but their requests fell on deaf ears.
Since the last two years, the situation here is turning from bad to worse as garbage is dumped in the area.
The Forest Department has installed signboards at many places warning people against dumping garbage in the areas with a message that legal action will be taken against those found dumping waste.
Noted journalist B D Mote, who daily commutes along the stretch expressed displeasure over the pathetic situation.
“This area is known for its natural heritage and also for its cool climate even during the months of March and May but due to the negligence on the part of the forest officials and the concerned Mauxi and Honda panchayats and the Valpoi Municipal Council authorities, the area has turned into an eyesore.”
Rama Sawant, a motorcycle pilot too expressed unhappiness over the current situation in the area.
He says, “This road which is an entry point to Valpoi is getting worst day-by-day and if such activities continue and serious action is not taken then it will be very difficult to handle the situation.”
When contacted, Mauxi sarpanch Vatu Gaonkar blamed the Forest Department for failing to take action despite repeated complaints to keep the area garbage-free.
“On many occasions, we have cleared the garbage in Mauxi Panchayat jurisdiction but again the area is getting filled with the waste. Such activities are mostly carried during the night. I demand that the forest department deploys an official to patrol the area and ensure the same is kept garbage-free.”
