Mangroves hacked, cleared at Tuem (ToI)

TNN | May 28, 2013, 03.48 AM IST 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 Dhargal to Tuem by a rivulet branching off from the Chapora 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. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Mangroves-hacked-cleared-at-Tuem/articleshow/20302155.cms