Search for IPL bookies exposes mangrove destruction (ToI)

TNN | May 28, 2013, 03.49 AM IST CANDOLIM: The rush to nab IPL bookies led to the finding of an alleged reclamation of a large tract of mangroves behind the villa in which the bookies were holed in at Orda, Candolim. The hacking of the mangroves came to light after Calangute MLA Michael Lobo and mediapersons descended on the villa, also called 'Mangrove'. While mediapersons and the others waited, as police conducted the panchanama, they noticed that some unidentified persons had reclaimed the mangroves with mud to lay a one-km long 'kutcha' road deep into the vegetation. Lobo immediately complained Mapusa deputy collector Sabaji Shetye, who deputed Bardez mamlatdar Pundalik Khorjuvekar to the spot. Khorjuvekar expressed surprise that the illegal activity had gone unnoticed. When contacted, WRD assistant engineer RP Shetye said that the road is not illegal as it was actually part of the 'bundh' which is being constructed. The 'kutcha' road helped to transport material for the bundh. Residents said they did not file a complaint as they thought it was part of the 'bundh' under construction along the Nerul river. But Lobo alleged it is "an attempt to reclaim the marshy land". Candolim panchayat secretary Eknath Talkar who was present said he was unaware of the illegal land filling. Shetye will visit the site on Tuesday to ascertain the facts. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Search-for-IPL-bookies-exposes-mangrove-destruction/articleshow/20302167.cms