Asmita Polji
PERNEM: After mining, activities, private builders seem to have turned their eyes on hills and after digging mines they are now targeting the trees and hills that too right under the nose of authorities.
It is learnt that a private builder has been cutting down trees to build a three-star hotel on the hills of Chopdem village. Reliable sources have informed that the land is an orchard land.
According to sources, 300 trees have been uprooted, after killing the trees using acid and many more are under similar process.
Locals claimed that even after seeing rampant deforestation, the local panchayat and forest department have turned a blind eye towards the issue.
Sources also informed that around 10 to 15 workers have been working in the property for the past three years and whenever locals questioned them the workers retort by saying they were looking after the cashew plantation and are not cutting down the trees.
Sources further informed that in RP 2021 this particular property of survey no. 17/1 has been shown as DMS (Disaster Management Site) and orchard.
Locals claimed that this illegal deforestation is being carried out by the owner of Brahma Enviro Construction Limited with the blessing of high-profile politicians and instead of directly pulling down trees using machinery, the owner is first using acid like substance to kill the tree so that no evidence can be left behind.
Meanwhile, the representatives of Revolutionary group visited the site to find out about the rampant deforestation and when the group contacted the forest department informing about the tree cutting, the staff showed no interest to come to the site.
Sources also informed that trees, in another property close to survey no 17/1, too were being cut.
A local source also revealed that the owner had even constructed five bore wells illegally in his property.
When contacted, Sarpanch of Agarwada Chopdem village panchayat Sangeeta Naik said the panchayat had not granted any permission for tree cutting and added that a panch member had been asked to inquire into the matter.
