Seraulim: Goa government has initiated inquiry after several coconut trees were found to be felled along the roadside at Seraulim village in South Goa.
State Deputy Chief Minister Vijai Sardesai told reporters that Director of Agriculture has been asked to initiate enquiry and submit report as soon as possible on the incident.
Environmentalists and villagers of Seraulim had expressed anger after almost 40 fully grown coconut trees were felled on Sunday.
The locals claimed that the trees were felled by government authorities, who did not site any reason for uprooting them.
“We have asked Director of Agriculture to constitute the committee to conduct the enquiry and submit report with plan of action as soon as possible,” Sardesai said.
He stated that the government is viewing the incident very seriously and will take action, if any illegalities have taken place.
Environmentalist Prajal Sakhardande on Monday had expressed anguish over the felling of such large number of coconut trees. “The one who has done it needs to be punished severely. We can’t allow such a destruction of green cover,” he said.
The locals had claimed that the trees were felled during night time and the government officials, who identified themselves as from forest department, fled from the scene when villagers gathered to stop them on Sunday morning.
When roads need expansion due to population growth, trees must be removed and new trees/saplings must be planted in other areas. Tree planting must in open areas must be an ongoing effort. We cannot stop progress. These same trees will fall on the heads of travellers on that road and kill them. We cannot be dumb to variety of needs of the humanity and also leave dangerous trees stand, killing passerby.