Team Herald
MARGAO: Unwilling to back down in their campaign against the extensive hill cutting activity in the village, the panchayat and residents of Sao Jose de Areal have demanded that the Town and Country Planning Department issue a stop-work order immediately, as a memorandum has been submitted to a senior town planner to take action against the promoters of the project.
The villagers have also questioned the authority and demanded an explanation as to how the hilly area is being converted into a settlement zone without taking into consideration the destruction to the environment. Joyce Dias, Sarpanch of Village panchayat Sao Jose de Areal, said that the panchayat has handed over the memorandum in this regard to R M Borkar, Senior Town Planner at the South Goa District Office in Margao.
Recently, the villagers had put up a united front while voicing their opposition to the hill-cutting underway in the village, for a real estate project.
“We are shocked to see that the TCP has permitted hill-cutting, knowing that it will lead to destruction to the environment. Now, we have met the senior town planner and submitted a letter to him on behalf of the villagers, demanding an order to stop the excavation before it is too late,” said the Sarpanch.
She added that they have sought the documents that were submitted by the concerned party to the TCP, when they sought permission for cutting into the hill. “As per the norms, the TCP cannot allow anyone to cut into the hill to this extent, as it can result in landslides,” the Sarpanch added. “What will be left for the Goans and the locals if such types of activities are allowed, to promote real estate? Trees are being axed down without considering the impact on the humans and animals that inhabit the area,” said the villagers.
