Assagao: The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of Siolim-Sodiem on Thursday came down heavily on attempts that were being made to nullify forests near the Sateri temple by burning them and destroying large tracts of greenery.
The BMC demand stern action against those involved so that such incidents are not repeated in future.
BMC Chairperson Peter de Souza stressed that sanctity of any religious structure was of paramount importance and should not be compromised with. “Deciduous vegetation, fruit bearing and medicinal trees have all gone up in smoke. Such forest fires pose a serious threat to the endemic and other flora and fauna of the last verdant green hills left in the village,” said de Souza and demanded that those behind the arson be booked.
The BMC then resolved to write to the TCP not to issue conversion sanad to the developer who was instrumental in burning the hillock and demanded that the hill be restored to its original state. “The panchayat too should write to the departments concerned to put all construction plans of such destructive builders on hold,” retorted the members and decided to knock at the door of the NGT against the wanton destruction of nature.
The BMC has now called for a joint inspection with the Forest Department along with the panchayat and other authorities on June 11.
“You cannot treat the issues with kid gloves. Arrest those behind the destruction of the hill and set a precedent for others,” reiterated BMC members.
The BMC committee reiterated that all traditional water bodies in the village be restored and maintained by the government.
The m embers then unanimously resolved to take the destruction of their fields by the Water Resources Department with the NGT and resolved to seek legal advice on this matter.
They hit out at the WRD authorities for closing their eyes to the illegalities in the CADA areas and issuing blanket permissions in the green zone. The filling of fields by a former sarpanch was also discussed and the panel decided to write to the authorities concerned over the illegality.
The BMC further also sought to know the status of the action taken by the panchayat of Sodiem on the constructions of a road by a developer on top of a storm drain at Pilimbi and demanded a joint inspection of all multi-dwelling structures in the village.
The BMC was of the view that the panchayat should collectively work towards identifying water harvesting units and source of water supply to them and also to check the multi dwelling and multi residential dwellings for their source of water . In keeping with advanced times, it was resolved to assist households to install biodiversity sewage tanks to conserve water and to use the treated water for gardening.
Siolim-Sodiem Sarpanch Deepa Naik, Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Vigankar, panch members came down heavily on this illegal activity and strongly demanded arrest and action against the buyer and all those involved in burning the hillock. “ We are with the BMC and the villagers on the issue and will bring oppose any development on this hillock, said VP Secretary Navanya Goltekar.
