Team Herald
ARAMBOL: The illegal felling of trees and scooping of the age of hill at Wagh Colamb’s Sweet Water Lake in Arambol inorder to erect huts for tourists has been a cause of concern for locals who questioned the authorities over development at the cost of the environment.
Vincent Mascarenhas, a resident of the area demanded action against those responsible for illegal hill cutting and erecting huts in the area. He also alleged that the violator was brazenly discharged sewage water out in the open and the lake as well.
Mascarenhas has also requested the village biodiversity committee to investigate and initiate action into the matter.
“The area falls in the jurisdiction of Arambol panchayat where a non-Goan has erected 11 huts along with a restaurant to attract tourists. He has also put up a hanging footbridge across the lake which leads to the restaurant and has no permissions whatsoever,” said Mascarenhas.
Mascarenhas had brought the Lake’s destruction and cutting of trees to the notice of the forest department over a week ago and lamented that no action has been initiated till date.
Meanwhile, Arambol sarpanch Bernard Fernandes said that the date to inspect the area has not been fixed as the panchayat secretary is on leave.
“The site inspection will be conducted once the panchayat secretary rejoins next week. Sweet Water Lake is the village’s crown and all the efforts will be made by the panchayat to take care of it,” said the sarpanch.
