MARGAO: Shadow Council for Margao (SCM) on Tuesday strongly opposed the proposal of Margao Municipal Council (MMC) to axe nearly 135 trees in the jurisdiction of Margao, stating that the issue needs to be studied properly. The reason cited to cut/trim these trees is that they pose danger.
Concerned Citizens of Margao held a meeting with Prajal Sakhardande in Margao with regard to the cutting of trees. Speaking to the media, Adv. Seoula Vas said, “The MMC has identified nearly 135 trees to trim/cut but they are strongly opposing the cutting of the trees.”
“The age of the tree should be determined by the officials of the Forest Department. We want the forest officials to prepare a report before cutting down these trees. In the environmental law also there are several principles. The tree cutting should be in exceptional cases only,” said Seoula.
Sakhardande said that such types of activity will lead towards the de-forestation of Margao. “This is a serious issue and hence proper procedure needs to be followed,” said Sakhardande.
In this connection, the Shadow Council for Margao has already written to the MMC and the District Collector suggesting a slew of measures to ensure that the exercise is conducted in the true spirit of containment of the risks as supposedly identified.
Convenor of SCM, Savio Coutinho said that the scope of work for the agency should be defined in the work order/tender. “This becomes essential as we often see huge amounts quoted for cutting trees, but the agency eventually only cuts down the branches from the tree trunk, and thereafter remains along the roadside for several months. Later, the municipality struggles and incurs additional financial burden to cut them into smaller pieces so as to transport the same,” said Coutinho.
Coutinho demanded presence Forest department official, lest trees were fully cut in the guise of trimming.
SCM opposes MMC’s proposal to axe around 135 trees
