SIOLIM: The candlelight protest in Siolim turned into a celebration for over a 120 people, with the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday staying further felling of trees till the next hearing on March 26, 2024.
In a first step to victory, the High Court whilst listing the writ petition filed by Aaron Fernandes and two others through Advocate Om
D’Costa and argued by Adv Norma Alvares, a First Offence report has been filed against the tree-cutting contaractor thus indicating that no permissions were obtained for the same.
“I cannot even express my feelings. Though, it is sad that trees have already been killed this full drama illustrates the corruption within various departments of the government,” said petitioner Aaron as he attended a candlelight celebration.
“There is a video circulating showing MLA Michael Lobo claiming that he has an order from the Forest Department stating that three to four trees have to be planted for every tree cut” petitioner Aaron Fernandes informed the gathering. He further remarked that it is now being proved that what Lobo said was not correct.
“This is a good example of how people of multiple facets coming together can make a change. The symbolic protests and legal action have set a good example for all villages of Goa,” believed conservationist Mohan Kumar who through a 2021 High Court order got the Tree Authority of Goa revived.
The celebration started with the people present in court sharing updates of the order and what transpired inside and many speakers urging for unity not just amongst Siolkars but from all over Goa.
“This win today is an indicator for all of us, from all parts of Goa, to stand together to fight injustices, irrespective of the village we hail from,” observed jubilant Sandra Fernandes.
“Some of the residents had demanded to see the relevant papers, documentation, and work orders from the contractors present at the site. However, the latter did not have any documentation to show for the ongoing project and only stated that they had been instructed to cut the trees and proceed with their work,” read an abstract of the PIL.
“The good news for everyone in Goa is that people have shown that they are not ready to keep quiet anymore to acts of vandalism being carried on in the name of development,” said an ebullient Oswald Pinto.
The petition brought to the notice of the High Court that, “it is not known whether tree felling permissions were accorded in terms of the Goa Preservation of Trees Act 1984, or whether the Tree Authority under the Act undertook a study of the proposal and the massive number of trees to be felled for the purpose; alternate routes; and the possibility of saving the ancient heritage trees.”
