Team Goemkarponn
MAPUSA: In the picturesque village of Assagao, located in the heart of Goa, a growing sense of urgency has gripped the local community as they witness the rapid erosion of their forest cover.
The Sunday Gram Sabha meeting served as a platform for villagers to voice their deep-seated concerns about unchecked deforestation and the surge in construction activities, which they believe could have catastrophic consequences on the village’s water supply.
At the forefront of these concerns is the indiscriminate felling of trees, a practice that villagers argue is being facilitated by unscrupulous builders and lax forest officials.
The locals are adamant that this unchecked urbanization will not only lead to a significant decline in the water table but also exacerbate soil erosion, ultimately resulting in a severe drinking water shortage.
Villagers have pointed accusatory fingers at builders, alleging that these developers are driving the destruction of the green cover with impunity.
They also criticized forest officials for succumbing to pressure from these powerful lobbies, issuing licenses for tree cutting without adequate scrutiny.
A gram sabha member warned that the ongoing deforestation would have dire environmental consequences, emphasizing the need for vigilance among residents to protect their natural resources.
