TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: The government has decided to amend The Goa Preservation of Tree (Amendment) Act to relax the rules allowing trimming of tree branches that hang over power lines and pose threat to life and property.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar made this announcement in the House on Tuesday in response to a calling attention jointly moved by Independent MLAs Vijai Sardesai and Naresh Sawal alleging incompetent and ill-equipped condition of disaster management authority in the State.
“We will move a small amendment to the Act that will give authority to a Tree Officer, who will be of the rank of engineer, to act as Deputy Collector to grant permission to trim branches around power lines,” he said. The tree officer’s power will be restricted to cutting of trees in such situations, he said. There are at present around 301 tree branches dangerously hanging over power lines.
Earlier during the discussion, Revenue Minister Francis D’Souza told the House that not only citizens but fire officers also are apprehensive to cut trees despite having powers. “People are scared because forest department issues notices for cutting trees. It is horrible….even officers who have powers (to cut trees) do not go ahead. This is due to opposition from people. We need cooperation,” he said.
The legislators had sought corrective steps from the government while expressing ‘fear and anxiety in the minds of the people on the incompetence and lack of equipment with the disaster management authority in view of the monsoon season and their incapability to assure immediate action due to either shortage of staff or equipment.
In the absence of an effective disaster management authority, Sardesai recommended that the State create a special cell on the lines of National Disaster Management Authority in Pune, and enhance compensation to families living in kutcha and pukka houses that are destroyed due to trees falling on them. He also requested that a pre-monsoon survey be carried out to avoid potential disasters and help the economically weaker sections of society. Sawal pointed out to various areas in Bicholim constituency where trees have posed a serious danger to life and property.
