MARGAO: The villagers of Mobor and Cavelossim on Monday expressed frustration over the lack of concrete action from the authorities concerned, including the Forest Department, against the indiscriminate cutting of trees and burning of beach vegetation within the eco-sensitive coastal zone.
Locals gathered at the site demanded that the Forest Department carry out an inspection in the presence of the villagers. They also accused the Forest Department staff of wrongly mentioning that only 40 trees have been axed at the site.
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Irish Passainha told reporters that the inspection carried out by Forest Department officials, in the presence of the violators, is totally unfair. “The officials should have called the complainant, the locals of the area, and other concerned authorities to the site,” he said.
“Upon inquiry, we found out that the report of the inspection that was done keeping the locals in the dark, has mentioned only 40 trees axed at the site, which is totally wrong,” he alleged.
He demanded that the Forest Department should conduct the inspection in the presence of the locals and other authorities such as the Goa Coastal Zone Management Authority.
“No authority has shown any seriousness towards the issue since the locals have filed the complaint. Such incidents need to be handled immediately, delayed action is of no use,” said Passainha.
Anthony Fernandes, another local, said that they have received a letter from the Deputy Collector of South Goa, instructing the GCZMA to carry out the inspection of the site at the earliest. “However, till date, the authority has not been seen here,” he complained.
He also urged the village development committee to take serious note of such issues and come out to support the people.
A few weeks ago, the Cavelossim Village Panchayat had fined a violator for burning beach vegetation in an eco-sensitive zone.
