CMC to cut Chaudi’s iconic Jackfruit Tree for Shivaji Maharaj statue?

Goemakpronn desk
CANACONA: Even as environmentalists objected to the reported moves to cut off an iconic Jackfruit tree at old bus-stand at Chaudi allegedly to make way for a Statue of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Canacona municipal Council resolved to write to Dy. Collector (Canacona) to conduct enquiry if the said Jackfruit –Tree poses any safety-threat to the public and take necessary action accordingly.
CMC in its monthly meeting held today,unanimously resolved to do away with and close-down all the Nine scrapyards operating in different ward areas of Canacona municipality.
Councillors have demanded action against all these illegally functioning scrapyards, stating these scrap yards has become a horde illegalities, and poses a serious health hazards giving rise to vector borne diseases in the areas.councillors alleged most of these scrapyards are located amidst the residential areas or any very close neighborhood.
A resolution was also moved to increase Sopo collection by 10% and passed unanimously. CMC will also conduct an enquiry into sub-letting of municipal shops and failure to pay-up municipal taxes for the same. Councillor Shubham Komarpant pointed out that none of the Shops at KTC Bus-Stand Complex are paying trade licenses fees for the last twenty years and as no assessments are done on any of the shops located in Canacona KTC Bus-Stand.
‘This is a major scam and a complete failure of the Council, as crores municipal income has gone in drains over so many years now. Komarpant demanded immediate conduct of Assessment of these shops and action to make recovery of these trade license fees running into lacks of rupees from these many shops in KTC Complex.
Amidst reports that CMC Chairperson has written to the authorities to cut and bring-down the iconic Jackfruit tree at Old Bus-Stand Chaudi taking excuse it has become old and dangerous to public, and the reported moves to install an idol of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in its place, at least two councillors objected to the move and instead called for conducting an inspection of the tree first and simultaneously initiate alternate measures required to maintain the tree if it at all truly poses any danger to public.
Councillors Shubham Komarpanpant and Dhiraj alias Pandurang Naikgaunkar suggested alternate measures to maintain the tree uncut, and carry out part trimming if any of its branches are found posing any threat. Incidentally, the iconic Jackfruit tree situated centrally at the commercial town of Chaudi providing an umbrella cover of shade at the Motor-cycle stand (old Bus-Stand) had its branches cut previously, reducing it to present size.
“The tree may be old, but it is very much alive and it should be maintained at all costs, lately, there are different methods to maintain, and if inspite of all the studies, this tree which provide natural shade of umbrella, is compulsorily required to be felled, then a new tree should be planted at its place, but at no time, this centrally located place should be utilised for any other usages other than for a tree”, they said.
“There are many other places to erect if any more Statues of Chatrapathi Shivaji Maharaj are required in municipal areas to be installed in Chaudi town”, stated Dhiraj Naikgaunkar and some more councilors.
Finally, a resolution is passed to write to the Dy. Collector to carry out inspection of the Jackfruit tree and find out if it at-all poses any threat to the public. Based on the report, some councilors offered to bring forest officers and environmentalists to suggest and initiate ways and measures to maintain the tree.
CMC Meeting was chaired by CMC Chairperson Ramakant Naikgaunkar, while Vice-Chairperson Narcisco Fernandes, Councilors Dhiraj Naikgaonkar, Simon Rebello, Amita Pagui, Laxuman Pagui, Gandesh Madgavkar, Sara NaikDesai, Hemant Kumar Naikgaonkar, Supriya Dessai, were present, while Chief Officer Ashwini Bhagat, Municipal Engineer Dilkush Gaonkar represented from office side.