PORVORIM: The Pundalik Nagar Residents’ Welfare Association has stopped a developer from cutting trees on an alleged no-development zone in Penha de Franca.
On Monday, PRWA noticed workers cutting trees in Survey 107/1 and rushed to stop the work. They also complained about the same to Porvorim police, local MLA Rohan Khaunte and the forest department.
When PI Brandon D’Souza reached the site, the owner of Four Wall Developers, Arun Ibrahim, displayed a letter issued on October 6 by Deputy Conservator of Forest V Kharkanis granting him permission to fell 23 trees in the area. However, Kharkhanis later sent a message to the PI to stop the cutting of trees.
PRWA member Madhuker Phal informed Khaunte, RFO Rajendra Fatarperkar and PI D’Souza that the disputed land admeasuring 3,503 sq mts has been identified as a no-development area in the Town and Country Plan/Regional Plan. PRWA filed an objection on Dec 5, 2011, before the Penha de Franca Panchayat opposing the illegal conversion of that land to a settlement area.
“The Bardez and Mapusa mamlatdar, vide his letter dated Sept 9, 2012, directed the Penha de Franca talathi to keep strict vigil on the illegal development/construction in Survey 107/1. The mamlatdar has rejected the mutation application of Four Wall Developers vide his order dated Feb 11, 2015. Four Wall Developers have appealed to the Mapusa Dy Collector and the hearing is in progress. Although the matter is sub judice, the developer has still cut trees. The residents will file a complaint with all the departments,” said Phal.
