CALANGUTE: The Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) has stated that despite having filed complaints with various authorities, illegal felling of trees in a property bearing Survey No. 81/1-D of village Candolim at the hill of Sinquerim has continued for the last one week.
On Thursday, CCF members gathered at the spot to highlight the “illegal destruction of bio-diversity”.
“It appears that the authorities are neglecting this area and giving the impression that people can do whatever they want. Despite complaints, so far not a single authority has come to see what’s happened,” CCF members said. However, CCF said when they initially telephonically informed the Forest Department, their staff visited the spot and conducted the ‘panchanama’, with the report stating that 53 trees have been cut without any permissions in the property measuring 89,195sq mtrs.
“As per the 2021 Regional Plan, it’s a no-development zone with 80% slope and the property is covered by natural green vegetation and biodiversity with a canopy density above 10%,” CCF said in their complaint, adding that “the application for conversion of the said area cannot be considered as it may lead in violation of Supreme Court order dated 04 02.2015 which has directed that no conversion of land in Goa shall be approved of any plot which is above one hectare in size end has forest canopy density of more than 10%.”
The complaint dated November 17 was sent to the chief secretary, the chief conservator of forests, member secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board, sarpanch, Candolim panchayat and other authorities.
“None of them have sent a reply,” CCF said.
