Panaji, 13 August 2024: In a strongly worded letter addressed to Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, the Goa Pradesh Congress Committee has expressed deep concern over the rampant and unabated hill cutting activities occurring across the state. The letter, marked as “Most Urgent,” highlights a recent incident in broad daylight at Dharbandora, describing it as a stark reminder of the government’s inaction and disregard for environmental regulations.
The Goa Congress accused the government of betraying public trust by allowing these destructive activities to persist despite prior assurances. They warned that such actions are leading to irreversible damage to Goa’s ecosystem, threatening the lives and livelihoods of its citizens, and causing severe environmental degradation, including soil erosion and landslides.
The letter called on the Chief Minister to enforce strict regulations on hill cutting, conduct thorough investigations into ongoing activities, and take immediate action against violators. It also urged the government to implement measures to restore damaged areas and ensure that those responsible for the Dharbandora incident are held accountable.
The Goa Congress has requested a prompt response from the Chief Minister regarding the steps the government will take to address this critical issue. Copies of the letter have also been sent to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Governor of Goa P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, and Minister for Environment, Forests & Climate Change Bhupender Yadav.
