Mangrove felling in Naroa still depict a sorry tale!

PANJIM, OCT 22
The destruction of mangroves at Tottewada in Naroa village of Bicholim taluka on the banks of river Mandovi in May this year is still palpable to the naked eyes. However, there has been no action against the destructors of this pristine natural heritage over the last four-and-half months.     
After environmental activists made noise and the media highlighted the issue, of mangrove and massive hill cuttings the Forest Department and the Goa Coatsal Zone Management Authority moved in the matter.
But till date no one has been held responsible, though the name of Capt Virendra Mehta of Panjim-based Sea Scan Marine Services appears in the communication issued by the Forest Department and GCZMA for necessitating action. 
However, when contacted Capt Mehta on Thursday yet again maintained he had bought the vast property, which had the destroyed mangrove cover, for the purpose of agriculture. “Right now I have no plans to set up anything on the property bearing survey Nos 8 and 9,” he asserted.
While some of the villagers contend Capt Mehta intends to set up a dry dock in the property and has promised jobs to them, the latter has flatly denied the claim.
 In the centre of the controversy is the sarpanch of Naroa Laximan Malvankar, who was under fire from activists who visited his office yesterday morning. When demanded to know the action taken in the matter, he had no firm answer to give.    
When questioned whether he had at least issued a resolution pertaining to the matter, Malvankar was caught on the wrong foot as he has issued none. On the contrary, faced with a barrage of questions, he went on to add that he was not the ultimate authority.
The panchayat Secretary M Patre too drew a blank on the action taken in the matter. Both Patre and the Malvankar had different versions to tell. Malvankar claimed he had sent a letter to the Chief Minister and the Panchayat Minister but the same could not be found in the panchayat office.
It was learnt that there were differences within the panchayat over the illegalities in Tottewada. Panch member Pratishtha Mishal, who was present at the time of ‘gherao’, said the sarpanch had not shown any details regarding the matter to them and was non-cooperative. Mishal said the sarpanch hardly took up the issue and when they sought details he never bothered to give the same.  
Malvankar said he had just managed to issue one notice to Capt Mehta. He had in May admitted there was an illegality but maintained he wasn’t getting any om the Government departments concerned to stop the illegalities.