Team Herald
SIOLIM: In a decisive move, the village panchayat of Siolim-Sodiem has issued a stop-work notice to a Delhi-based developer accused of illegally cutting down trees and excavating a hillock to construct a road at Mottan in Chuna vaddo. This action follows a complaint from the Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC), which highlighted the unlawful felling of trees and hill cutting in the area.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
BMC Chairperson, Peter De Souza, urged the panchayat to take immediate action regarding these illegal activities and called for the BMC complaint to be presented at the members’ meeting, advocating for a resolution to conduct an inspection and to obtain relevant documents related to upcoming projects in the vicinity, including necessary clearances for tree felling and road access.
The BMC panel noted that previous concerns had been raised about the development processes in the area, the panchayat and the Town and Country Planning (TCP) department have yet to provide information regarding the permissions obtained for the project.
The BMC’s complaint further stated that recent violations suggest a covert attempt to convert the area in collusion with the TCP. They directed the panchayat to issue notices to the involved parties to ensure transparency regarding the nature of the project planned for the hillock and the permissions granted by the TCP and Forest Department to fell trees.
“We have directed the unknown owner to cease all work immediately and scheduled a joint site inspection for 21 October, which will include officials from the TCP, Mamlatdar, Public Works Department (PWD) and Forest Department,” stated Panchayat Secretary Nayana Goltekar.
Deputy Sarpanch Nilesh Vaigankar confirmed that the panchayat had acted swiftly, stating, “We have observed that the trees have been felled and the hill has been unscrupulously cut, and we do not want another Bhutani project in Sodiem.”
In addition to halting the road construction, the village panchayat has resolved to oppose a proposed 10-metre road extending beyond the Shanta Vidyalaya High School towards the hillock for the benefit of developers. Vaigankar emphasised, “While we have no objection to the construction of the road leading to the school and we will not allow an inch to be encroached upon leading to the hill,” said Vaigankar.
The community’s commitment to protecting their environment and heritage remains strong as they navigate these pressing issues.
