TEAM HERALD
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PANJIM: The Forests Department is contemplating action against its officials who delay in conducting and completing inquiry cases pertaining to illegal tree felling in Goa, Minister for Forests Alina Saldanha, told the Goa Assembly Wednesday.
Saldanha was replying Porvorim MLA Rohan Khaunte’s query, which expressed alarm over increasing cases of illegal tree cutting, particularly under the Panjim Range which includes areas of Tiswadi and Bardez talukas. He also cited the illegal felling of trees in his own constituency ~ Porvorim.
Referring to data available with him, the Porvorim MLA said that in Panjim alone there have been 230 tree cutting cases reported last year. He said, “Come Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the cases increase with no checks and action initiated.”
Khaunte also took note of large pendency of cases with the forest department on illegal tree felling and sought to know why the government does not set any time-frame for booking of offences. He also pointed out the difference in quantum of fines collected.
Alina on the other hand denied that there was any lapse on the part of the forest department even though the department is in the process of reviewing the pending cases of illegal tree felling.
She said that disposal of cases depended on the severity of the offence. “Fines are imposed, depending on the quality of the tree, size, girth and based on the report of the RFO concerned. The imposition of fines is decided by the respective Deputy Conservators of Forests in consultation with the PCCF,” she explained.
According to her there have been 236 cases booked for illegal tree felling in the North Division and 50 cases in the South Division, under the Preservation of Tree Act 1984.
Khaunte earlier decried the destruction of Goa’s green cover and urged for timely action to prevent its destruction.
