05 Jul 2024  |   07:27am IST

Trees recklessly trimmed but procedures mercilessly cut in Margao

There was no tender process, no estimates were obtained and no quotations were sought; only orders given by PWD to one contractor

MARCOS GONSALVES

MARGAO: In a shocking revelation, it has been uncovered that the ongoing tree trimming and cutting in Fatorda and Margao are being conducted without adherence to any formal procedures. 

According to reliable sources, it has been revealed that the guidelines were not followed in the process. There was no tender process, no estimates were obtained, and no quotations were sought.

The lack of formal procedures and oversight suggests a possible breach of regulatory norms, casting doubt on the transparency and accountability of those responsible for the tree pruning activities.

Further revelations indicate that the contractor was granted unrestricted authority to trim and cut down trees without conducting a prior assessment to identify those posing actual dangers.

The Public Works Department (PWD)’s division responsible for implementing Disaster Management office directives, instructed the contractor to proceed with the tree trimming and cutting operations. This resulted in the pruning of over 100 trees and the cutting down of some without considering the environmental impact.

It is noteworthy that over the past several days, social activists, residents, and environmentalists have been vocal in their opposition to the reckless tree trimming activities in Fatorda and Margao.

Contrary to public concerns and media reports, the District Collector's office has confirmed that their directive was specifically aimed at trimming trees that posed a direct threat to human safety.

"No directions were given to cut down the trees. It was solely about trimming the trees in preparation for monsoon works. The Public Works Department and the Electricity Department are the authorities responsible for implementing these directives, and they are expected to follow the due procedure," clarified Srinet Kothwale, Additional Collector-I.

Savio Coutinho, former Margao Municipal Council Chairperson, has highlighted that there are no records available regarding the procedures followed by the Public Works Department (PWD) concerning the ongoing tree trimming works.

"Presently, what we have observed is that the concerned contractor is recklessly trimming the trees without properly identifying whether those trees actually pose a danger to human life or not. It's concerning to note that several healthy trees have also been observed to have been unnecessarily trimmed," alleged Coutinho

Maria Rodrigues, a resident of Fatorda, alleged that there was a lack of supervision from the concerned authorities during the tree trimming process. 

"There should have been checks on the works by the authorities to prevent environmental damage," stated Maria Rodrigues.