PONDA: In the wake of the landslide in Wayanad, which claimed hundreds of lives, the Goa government has tasked Talathis of respective Panchayat areas with the responsibility of monitoring and reporting illegal hill cutting activities. Following this directive, Talathis from Curti-Khandepar and Dharbandora Panchayats have filed complaints with the authorities, including flying squads, Mamlatdar, and the Deputy Collector’s offices in Ponda and Dharbandora.
On Friday, the Talathi of Curti-Khandepar lodged two complaints regarding hill cutting at Prabunagar-Curti with the Ponda Mamlatdar and flying squad. Reports indicate that there are several significant, both old and recent, hill cutting cases in these talukas. Talathis have been instructed to report these incidents immediately to prevent further destruction of the hills, without delving into the legality of the actions.
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Environmental concerns have been raised by activists like Sandeep Parkar, who highlighted the potential for disaster if the hills are not protected. He stressed that the hills are sensitive areas, as declared by the Madhav Gadgil Committee, and any further hill cutting could lead to calamities similar to those seen in Wayanad. Parkar urged officials from the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department to proactively file complaints rather than waiting for public grievances.
In response to these concerns, Ponda Mamlatdar Biku Gawas convened a meeting with Talathis from various Panchayats, instructing them to promptly file reports on hill cutting cases with the flying squad and ensure copies are sent to the Mamlatdar and Deputy Collector for swift action.
Raids on Dharbandora plots cleared by illegal hill-cutting and tree felling, two persons to face action
PONDA: Based on complaints filed by the Dharbandora Talathi, the flying squad and Deputy Collector conducted raids on two hill cutting sites in Betul-Pratapnagar. During the raids, it was discovered that some houses were constructed on plots developed through illegal hill cutting. Complaints have been filed against Sameer Vachasunder from Porvorim for hill and tree felling, and Manohar Gaonkar from Dhavkon-Dharbandora for tree felling. Deputy Collector Nilesh Diagodkar stated that proceedings will be initiated against both individuals. Additionally, forest officials have inspected the Dhulay- Dharbandora area following reports of tree felling.
