PANJIM: Following months of protests by locals, heritage enthusiasts, historians, architects and priests, Forest Department has finally stayed the approval that had been granted to cut 32 teak trees at the Chimbel-based home for the aged that belongs to Provedoria.
Protestors, including children, had held demonstrations, rallies and also a ‘chipko-style’ movement where people had hugged the trees in a symbolic gesture.
The decision to stay the cutting of the trees was taken by the Deputy Conservator of Forests.
The trees were to be cut to make way for a new building that would be funded by the Central government. This project under PMAY-HFA was initiated by Institute of Public Assistance – Provedoria, in coordination with Goa State Urban Development Agency (GSUDA).
The protestors had pointed out that the project could come up at an alternative site in the area, where there is a 40-year-old unused building structure that has been deemed as unfit, instead of cutting the trees.
