PONDA: Pained to see that the widening of the National Highway is taking its toll on the once scenic green hills at Kerya-Khandepar, the locals on Wednesday called upon the government to ensure that minimum damage is caused to nature while carrying out developmental works.
They said Kerya-Khandepar was once known for its scenic greenery with deep valleys and hills. On account of the sharp turns the road turned into an accident-prone zone. Five to six years ago, the narrow NH road passing was later widened into a four-lane one, following a huge land filling in a deep valley wherein the mud was excavated from the hill.
The locals had raised concern but there were few options before them to stop this activity as the highway widening was needed to carry out developmental works.
Now, five years later, since the past one month, the remaining portion of the hill is being cut for a two-way service road, but at same time the locals feel that most hills and their scenic beauty have vanished.
Claiming that development has taken its toll on this greenery, Rocky Dias at Kerya said that earlier when the site was a valley, they could feel the cold breeze and enjoy rich green cover which was a natural hub for birds and animals and source to recharge groundwater and springs. However, all this now, has become a thing of the past.
Environmentalist Sandeep Parkar said the government should see to it that development causes minimum damage to nature.
