PONDA: Usgao locals are opposing an extension project of MRF company, which they claim has damaged environment by cutting down thousands of coconut palms for the project.
Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar and social activist Ramesh Gauns Sunday urged the locals to start a movement against the company’s extension project and advised them to file a case against the company in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) for destructing environment. Kerkar and Gauns were addressing the locals during an environment awareness meet organised by the locals of Usgao at Gurunath temple hall. The meet was attended by around 100 persons.
According to the locals, the company has felled thousands of coconut palms since the last few months. The last Usgao gram sabha had resolved to revoke the No-objection Certificate (NOC) given for the extension project of the company.
The company’s move to cut down thousands of coconut palms when the election model code of conduct was in operation in the state was illegal, said the environmentalist. He said that it is the duty of the company to make locals aware of the ill effects of their plant on the environment of the place and health of the locals.
Stating that environment impact assessment is a serious issue, he said that permission has been given for the project in a hurry without any environment impact assessment done and with the help of the recent amendment made to the Goa, Daman and Diu Protection of Trees Act, which has led to declassification of the coconut tree.
It may be recalled that in January last year, former chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar-led government had passed a controversial amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Protection of Trees Act, formally derecognising the coconut palm as a tree.
Activist Gauns said that if the locals want pure water, air and land, they must start a movement against the illegality and destruction of the environment.