Mandur locals upset over pvt forest razing

Panaji: The destruction of green patches and private forests in Azossim, Mandur panchayat, was discussed at the Sunday gram sabha, as the members resolved to hold a joint inspection of two degraded sites.Sarpanch Prashant Naik, who chaired the meeting, agreed to it, stating that it was for the protection of green cover. He cited a panchayat complaint in a case of tree felling.A panch, Francis Po, said development is not allowed in a private forest area, and the work behind the Mandur church has to be stopped. Ramrao Wagh, a local and an AAP worker, said that once this plot, without any approach road, is used for settlement, the rest of the green areas will be lost.The green areas are vital for flora and fauna, and the biggest stream from the hill flows through this area. Wagh said an illegal compound and a small house have been built. Twenty-odd poles from the village area have been erected to provide power for a single structure.The same land parcel had been designated as a micro-industrial zone in the regional plan 2021. Wagh also raised the issue of the destruction of another private forest area in the village and called for its inspection.Five gram sabha members will be allowed to take part in the inspection along with Naik and various officials. The issue of non-auditing of panchayat accounts during 2019-2022 was also discussed, as it is stalling the subsequent audit process.The issue of tarring the main road on one half, creating unsafe conditions, was also discussed.