Concerned residents of Curtorim met with Forest Department officials this week to protest what they allege is unauthorized large-scale tree cutting in the village. The felling, they say, has been carried out under the pretext of construction work, with no proper consultation with the local panchayat.
Addressing the media after the meeting, villager Moreno Rebello stated that official permission had been granted for the removal of only 12 trees, but locals observed that over 50 trees appear to have been cut down, raising serious environmental and procedural concerns.
“We are not against development,” Rebello said, “but there must be transparency and accountability. The scale of deforestation here is alarming and seems to have exceeded the permitted limit”, he added.
The villagers urged the Forest Department to launch a thorough investigation into the matter and take action against those responsible for any violations. They also called for greater involvement of panchayat members in granting permissions and monitoring such activities to ensure ecological balance is maintained.
Forest officials have acknowledged the complaint and assured the community that the matter will be looked into.