MAPUSA: Following a complaint by villagers, the Calangute Village Panchayat Sarpanch Shawn Martin along with officials of GCZMA and bio diversity conducted an inspection of destruction of beach vegetation carried out in survey number 208/1 in presence of locals from Khobrawado Calangute.
It may be recalled that two days back the residents of Khobrawado along with members of Calangute Constituency Forum had raised their objection for destruction of beach vegetation and bio diversity. In this connection, the forum had made complaints to local panchayat, member secretary of GCZMA, Calangute police and mamlatdar Bardez.
Acting on the complaint, the Calangute Panchayat had issued a stoppage notice to concern owner and scheduled site inspection on Friday.
Sarpanch Shawn Martin said, “Acting on the complaint filed by the locals and forum, panchayat had immediately issued stoppage notice to the owner. Accordingly Calangute police had also visited the spot and stopped the work. The Forest Department has already conducted independent inspection”.
Martin informed that concern owner had not informed the panchayat before cutting of beach vegetation. “Court had also issued suo moto and had called the panchayat. HC has asked the panchayat to report on what steps the panchayat has taken and submit it accordingly. The panchayat will stand by the people since we have to protect the environment for the future”, sarpanch said.
“During the inspection it was noted that several medicinal plants were damaged and also a plant named as Lingud, which protects the sand, was found chopped”, a local said.
“We want this destruction to be stopped all over and we want to tell them that nobody will be spared weather it is local or outsider. These plants have not come overnight. They are grown for years, which need to be protected”, Calangute Constituency Forum President Premanand Diukar said.
