Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: By contacting the officials of the Forest department, a group of residents and activists stopped the ancient banyan tree in St. Inez from being chopped down, which was purportedly done at the request of Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL).
According to witnesses, when Range Forest Officers arrived on the scene, they prevented some workers from proceeding with the tree cutting.
After many people gathered to stop the tree from being cut, the Tiswadi executive magistrate, or mamlatdar, also arrived at the scene.
There was also a candlelight vigil next to the banyan tree. Following the vigil, authorities returned to the location and gave the order to take down the tree.
“A 200-year-old banyan tree is proposed to be cut. How can we allow this? This is our natural heritage,” said Avertino Miranda of Green Brigade. The authorities later chopped the banyan tree.
He alleged that the forest department failed to follow the due process and that permission has reportedly been given without inspecting the trees.
Two trees were found to be impediments to the Smart City Project’s implementation of a smart road from Madhuban Circle to the Sheetal Hotel in St. Inez. By April 15, the banyan tree relocation process must be finished.
