Mangroves hacked, cleared at TuemTNN | May 28, 2013, 03.48 AM ISTAds by Google
MAPUSA: A large tract of mangroves has been hacked and cleared in patches along
the roadside at Arabo in Tuem by a private party during the last few weeks,
sources said.A few labourers were engaged to fell the trees and clear the large
area along the road from Dhargalto Tuem by a rivulet branching off from
theChapora river.The work had commenced a few weeks back and several hectares
of mangroves have been hacked while the authorities were allegedly slow to
react. The workers have constructed a hut at the site for resting during breaks
while the clearing of the large areas was in progress.The mangrove vegetation
has been piled in patches in the open area while part of it has already
withered and rotted in the water.It is not clear why the mangroves have been
hacked but on the other side of the rivulet, there is a aquaculture farm and
there is speculation that a similar project is being pursued here. The land has
been levelled in places where the mangrove vegetation of several years has been
chopped.A member of Goa coastal zone management authority (GCZMA) visited the
site recently and the authority finally filed a police complaint at Pernem
police station.But on the other hand, the workers were still seen working at
the site, laying an embankment for better access to the area.
