P’yat raises alarm on illegal hill cutting at Guirdolim

Margao: The alleged inaction of the flying squad, the town and country planning (TCP) department, and the district administration over complaints of illegal hill cutting has come to the fore.

Guirdolim sarpanch Sonia Fernandes said that none of the authorities responded to their calls for intervention.

The panchayat said that despite multiple correspondence and complaints lodged with authorities, no action was taken.

A delegation, headed by Fernandes and deputy sarpanch Joao Piexote conducted a site inspection on Monday where heavy machinery was being used for hill cutting without proper permits.

“After routing our complaint to the Salcete mamlatdar we were told to handle the matter ourselves,” Fernandes said.

Panchayat member Franky Fernandes highlighted the environmental impact of the unauthorised activity.

While TCP department and police officials claimed only vegetation was cleared, the inspection revealed significant alterations to the terrain. “This area is home to various wildlife including peacocks,” said Piexote.

The panchayat plans to submit additional correspondence to TCP and the flying squad urging them to investigate the matter. Fernandes called on TCP minister Vishwajit Rane for the minister’s intervention. The local body expressed concern that their community would ultimately hold the panchayat responsible for any environmental damage, despite their repeated attempts to engage authorities in addressing the illegal activity.