PANJIM, JAN 5
Any equipment found at the site that was used for the illegal hill cutting should be seized. Immediate measures should be taken to protect the remaining hill, and the work of stabilising the excavated portion of the hill should be undertaken by whosoever has cut the hill or by the property owner.
These are some of the important suggestions made by Amicus Curiae Norma Alvares in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on illegal hill cutting in Siolim are under consideration of the Government.
The suggestions made to prevent illegal hill cutting in the State are being considered by the government, told Advocate General Subodh Kantak to the Court when the matter came up for hearing before High Court, on Monday
Adv Alvares in her written submissions told the Court that cases take a long time to be decided, and the maximum fine of Rs 1 lakh has not been imposed on any one till date. In February 2007, the chief secretary had issued orders banning illegal hill cutting and land filling, and specific instructions were also given to deputy collector and the town planner, however amicus curiae, claimed, these steps are inadequate to protect the hill and prevent further collapse, especially during monsoon. Hence, the recommendations were made. These include the town planner should prepare a profile of the hill as it existed before it was illegally cut. No development should be permitted in the area until the case filed under Section 17 A has been decided. Most importantly, violator should not be allowed to enjoy the benefits of illegal hill cutting even while the case carries on at its own pace. This will act as disincentive to people who illegally cut hills in order to speedily develop their plots, she suggested.
