Team Herald
CALANGUTE: Locals and the Calangute Constituency Forum on Sunday held a protest march over alleged felling of trees atop the Boa Viagem Hill.
The Sisters of St Alex Convent and panchas who participated in the protest condemned act. The protestors, who marched from the convent to the hill where the destruction was taking place, also took up the issue of the rampant filling of fields and low lying areas in the jurisdiction.
Calangute Constituency Forum president Premanand Divkar said, “We will come out and raise our voices against destruction of any kind. In Calangute constituency, we will go to every hill and field that is under threat. Everyone is aware of the illegalities but wait for the people to make a noise before they act”.
Sr Faria Superior General of the Congregation said, “If such illegal activities take place it will affect the village beauty. This convent takes care of orphans, the old and is also a house for those aspiring to become a nun.”
Acting sarpanch Sudesh Mayenkar assured the protesting locals that the panchayat would lodge a complaint against the offender for allegedly felling the trees atop Boa Viagem Hill.
Former sarpanch Anthony Menezes vowed to protect the fields and hill and demanded that the fields and hills that are marked as settlement zones should be reverted back to their original form.
St Alex Church parish priest Fr Polly said, “Hills and trees need to be protected. It is high time to ensure that the illegal activities in the village are stopped”.
It is learnt that a panchanama and site inspection have been carried out on Monday.
