PANJIM: The Siolim unit of Goa Green Brigade, which is at the forefront of the people’s struggle to save the age-old Siolim trees, on Friday criticised Calangute MLA for saying that outsiders are protesting against cutting of trees and asked him not to interfere in the affairs of Siolim constituency.
Speaking to reporters at Azad Maidan in Panjim, Avertino Miranda, Convenor, Goa Green Brigade, said, “What is the Calangute MLA doing in Siolim? Where is the Siolim MLA? She should be there. But there is no sign of her. Earlier, there was no sign of Mr Lobo but now suddenly he is saying that outsiders are protesting against cutting of trees.”
“Who are the outsiders? Are petitioners outsiders or us, who have been staying in Siolim for generations,” Miranda said.
Questioning Lobo for whose benefit the roads are being widened, Miranda said, “You have knocked off trees in Calangute constituency. Isn’t there any at Calangute? We have to use common sense. The Calangute MLA has no common sense. He claims that only four trees were cut, but the fact is that the government lawyer has admitted in the High Court that they have cut 35 trees. Now he claims that he will grow four plants. Can four plants replace an 80-year-old tree? He should admit that he has committed a massive crime of mass murdering trees.”
“Development does not mean destroying the environment. Development has to be around the trees. Trees cannot be replaced by putting in small plants. The trees could have been preserved where they were and cars would have been parked as usual,” Miranda added.
The Goa Green Brigade Convenor also found fault with the Calangute MLA for saying that the panchayat should file an intervening petition. ”Why should the panchayat file an intervening petition? Lobo should file as he is the main culprit. What has he done in Calangute? He has replaced Goans with those who are not from the State. He is helping them to prosper, while Goa’s land is being destroyed,” Miranda said.
Going forward, the Goa Green Brigade will hold protests in Calangute, Assagao and other neighbouring villages as well as people from areas who have approached the organisation.
“There is the same problem all over Goa. There is nothing but destruction. For the fast money ministers and MLAs have become brokers. The rate at which Goa is being destroyed, no tourist will come to Goa. People come to Goa to see natural beauty,” he said.
“What is Calangute today? It has become a garbage dump. Calangute beach is one of the dirtiest beaches in the state. He should put his mess in order first then tell us what to do. We will not allow any tree felling in Siolim. We are not against development. But it should be around trees, without destroying the environment,” the green activist said.
Arvind Fonseca, member of Goa Green Brigade, said, “For the last two years, Siolim MLA Delilah Lobo was not seen. But now suddenly Michael Lobo appears in the newspaper and says four trees have been cut. I want to question him in what capacity he is coming into Siolim constituency and interfering. Tomorrow Mapusa MLA will say tomorrow that he is related to Ms Lobo and start butchering the trees. Is this acceptable?”
“’Traffic congestion is a perpetual problem. It is there in Calangute and Mapusa as well. Does it mean that all the roads in Goa will be widened?” he questioned.
