MAPUSA: The Goa Green Brigade has written to the PWD Minister, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Chief Secretary and Manager of MVR Infra Projects criticising them for “illegal” cutting of trees along the National Highway (NH) 17 and condemning them for their inaction in the matter.
In a letter submitted to the authorities on Thursday, the Brigade stated that five months have lapsed since submitting a letter in March this year demanding that cutting of trees be stopped for widening the highway. However, it alleged, there has been no response from any of the government authorities and neither the road contractors.
In the letter submitted in March, the Brigade claimed that trees were being uprooted recklessly by the MVR Infra Projects.
“Therefore, Goa Green Brigade presumes that the contactor and government authorities accept the contents of their earlier letter and have nothing to say,” it said.
In the fresh letter, the Brigade has brought to the notice of the government the directions issued by National Green Tribunal at New Delhi for de-concretisation at the base around the roots of the trees for a minimum of at least 1×1 metre area. “But in violation of this order, the contractors building the road at Guirim and other places continues to build very close to the roots of the trees, thus choking to death most of the coconut and other trees. Therefore, demand the immediate removal of this concrete,” the Brigade said.
Green Brigade Coordinator Avertino Miranda highlighted that over 30 coconut trees along the Guirim Highway have been cut illegally in the middle of the night.
