Green Goa Foundation threatened to move High Court if authorities failed to act on the complaints filed by Sharon S. Fernandes from Copremordi, Assolda and Anand Jivaji Naik from Dodiyal Xelvona in Curchorem constituency before the Town and Country Planning Department (TCP), Quepem alleging that illegal hill-cutting has been carried out in violation of rules in survey No.8/1 at Xelvona village and surrounding areas.
In her complaint sent to Chief Secretary and copy forwarded to the Collector, Margao, Chief Town Planner, Panaji, Town Planner, Quepem, Deputy Collector, Quepem and Curchorem police, she said that illegal hill cutting activities are going on without required permission from the concerned authorities.
Speaking to media she said that rampant hill cutting activities are going on along the Curchorem-Xelvona-Assolda road by using excavator for non-agricultural use and divided into several plots on the No Development Slopes.
She further stated that due to illegal development, environment and ecological impact will destroy the serenity and beauty of the village and more so, on the wild habitats. “Besides, the cutting the top, they are also cutting base of the hill so as to construct the road,” stated Fernandes and urged the concerned authorities to issue order directing to stop the illegal activities and to restore the hill to its original form otherwise threatened to approach National Green Tribunal.
Another complainant Naik informed the media that based on his complaint earlier Margao Deputy Collector and in-charge of Flying Squad issued a show cause notice cum stop work order in March 2014 and also asked the concerned parties to be present in the TCP office with all the necessary permission, failing which an FIR would be filed against them.
