Team Herald
PANJIM: The amendment to Tree Protection Act declassifying coconut trees will not be repealled in the coming Assembly session.
Speaking to the media, Forests and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar said there is no possibility of the government repealling the amendment to the Tree Protection Act 19823. “It is for the prosperity of Goa,” he said.
The opposition parties and various NGOs have been demanding that the controversial amendment to the Act reclassifying the coconut tree be repelled.
Congress has demanded repelling of the amendment and said the party would introduce a Private Members Bill to declare the coconut as State tree.
The government has been facing a continuing tirade from NGOs, environmentalist and locals over the amendment.
Sections of society, led by historian Prajal Sakhardande held a series of protests against the reclassification of the coconut tree.
The agitators also commenced a ‘chipko’ kind of movement to save coconut trees in the State. The movement continues and is gaining momentum.
