Calangute citizens see red over illegal cutting of beach vegetation

Calangute: A Calangute-based NGO has alleged illegal cutting of beach vegetation in the no-development CRZ zone at Candolim.
A local resident wrote to the secretary of the Candolim panchayat on Thursday about the illegal clearing of beachside vegetation at Bamonwado, Candolim. The resident also informed the Calangute Constituency Forum (CCF) whose members rushed to the spot and stopped the alleged illegal activity.
“Around 10 labourers were engaged in cutting the beach vegetation thus destroying the beach environment to make way for development activities. CCF immediately moved to the site to stop the destruction. This activity is in violation of the Environment Protection Act, 1986. It looks like that the authorities are turning a blind eye to such activities. This is the fourth incident within the coastal area of Candolim during past two months,” CCF president Premanand Divkar said.
The CCF also informed the secretary of the Candolim panchayat and asked him to initiate immediate action against the developer as it falls within 200ms from CRZ.
Divkar said the CCF has filed several complaints against the destruction of beach vegetation and sanddunes in Candolim to the competent authorities, but they have failed to initiate action against the violators and protect the beach environment.