The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the promoters of a golf course project for the second time to maintain 'status quo' on felling of trees at their project in Tiracol village of North Goa.
The NGT bench, comprising Justice U D Salvi and Dr Ajay Deshpande, acted on a complaint by an NGO, Goa Foundation, which had alleged that Leading Hotels Private Limited had forcibly entered Tiracol village on May 14, 2015 and felled the trees.
NGT had, in its order dated April 16, 2015, directed for 'status quo' to be maintained till lawful permission was granted to the company for tree-felling.
"Having come to the conclusion that the trees were felled by respondent no. 7 (promoters), it can be also be concluded that the loss of trees in violation of the order of this Tribunal has multiple adverse effects," an order dated February 3 this year said.
"Firstly that the environment suffers the loss in terms of imbalance and secondly, it creates a general feeling that the orders of this Tribunal can be casually dealt with and violated as and when one feels like doing contrary to the mandate of this Tribunal," it said.
"Perusal of the photographs shows the excavator in action i.E. Uprooting the trees/bushes and loading them in the truck," the order further said.
NGT ordered confiscation of Rs 5 lakh surety deposited by promoters of Leading Hotels Private Limited for violation of the court order and directed the company to maintain status quo on felling of trees.
