Team Herald
MARGAO: Despite objections from citizens and environmentalists, the trimming and felling of old trees continue in the State’s commercial capital.
Concerned citizens have passionately pleaded for mercy and have called upon the authorities to preserve these ‘natural giants’.
Environmentalists and locals alike said that the trees are vital to the area’s ecosystem and heritage.
They observed that at present, a contractor has been involved in merciless trimming and felling trees including the heritage ones at various locations in Margao, including Rawanfond Junction, Pajifond and Ana Fonte Garden and feared the impact on biodiversity and heritage.
It is pertinent to note that a few months ago, similar tree-cutting activities occurred in the Fatorda constituency, prompting a group of citizens to petition the District Collector. They called for an end to the hazardous tree cutting practices and demanded strict action against the contractor. Despite their efforts, the concerns raised then have remained unaddressed.
The repetition of such activities in Margao has intensified calls for effective measures to protect the remaining trees.
The authority's decision to approve the destruction of 4,263 trees and 167 mangroves for various development projects had raised concern among the citizens.
They highlighted the stark contrast between these approvals and the ongoing environmental concerns in the area. It emphasised the growing disconnect between development agendas and environmental conservation.
The ‘slaughtering’ of healthy heritage trees at Rawanfond for a new bridge construction, has sparked criticism from Savio Coutinho, former MMC chairperson.
Coutinho said that they have been consistently highlighting the manner in which healthy trees are being ‘slaughtered’ in the guise of trimming.
“Having not been successful in opening the eyes of the authorities concerned, we can only apologise to all the sensitive environment lovers that we have a Disaster Management Cell, which is actually working towards creating a disaster in future,” he stated.
He said that they have never opposed trimming of trees, but are totally against the way the entire tree trunk is chopped off.
“It is very sad that the PWD engineers and contractors are in desperate hurry to make money by destroying the biodiversity. Our cities and towns are facing so much pollution on account of vehicle emissions, garbage burning, etc, and these trees help in arresting this pollution, giving us pure air to breathe, yet we fail to realise this," Coutinho said.
He added that the government makes tall claims of planting thousands of trees under their new slogan ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, while there is no account of how many of these survive, as thousands of fully-grown trees are cut.