Team Herald
PANJIM: The State Forest Department on Tuesday informed that it had granted permission for felling of 85 trees at Seraulim to Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC), after Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai ordered an inquiry following allegation of illegal tree cutting from the environmentalist.
Environmentalists and villagers of Seraulim had expressed anger after almost 40 fully grown coconut trees were felled on Sunday.
The locals claimed that the trees were felled by government authorities, who did not cite any reason to uproot them.
Environmentalist Prajal Sakhardande on Monday had expressed anguish over the felling of such large number of coconut trees. “The one who has done it needs to be punished severely. We can’t allow such a destruction of green cover,” he had said.
Following the allegation, Sardesai, who also holds Forest and Agriculture Department, had ordered an inquiry through Director Agriculture into the entire episode.
Post inquiry, it was revealed that Deputy Conservator of Forest, South Goa, had granted permission to GSIDC for tree feeling. Permission was granted for felling 148 trees in total, of which 85 were in Seraulim while rest are in Benaulim constituency.
“As per enquiry it has been brought to our notice that the forest department has given an NOC for cutting trees after following due procedures,” office of Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai said.
“However, the NOC also mandates replanting of trees. Since permission has been issued, the Forest Department will do the replanting after land is identified by GSIDC,” it further said.
GSIDC has been asked to replant 300 similar species in the available open space in Seraulim and Benaulim.
