STRUCK AT THE ROOTS

 “I detest going to Panjim these days because I cannot bear to see the wanton destruction of the rain trees which are ‘distinctive’ of the city of Panjim for over eight decades,” laments Mario Miranda. MELBA MERGULHÃO-CARVALHO ANTÃO speaks to prominent Goans on the slaughter of the rain trees in Campal.

 

 A COUPLE OF years ago, Goans across the state, and particularly the residents of Panjim, protested in one voice against the felling of the rain trees along the Campal avenue in the name of road development. It was an emotional sight to see little children hug those huge trees with their little hands shielding the trees from the woodcutter’s axe…

 The authorities gave their assurance that the rain trees would not be touched.  But like all government promises to the people, they broke their promise.  How deviously they are doing it. The rain trees are being destroyed at the roots; the very lifeline of any living entity.  The public just looks at the branches and the trunks of the trees without glancing at the chopped roots.  Only the deceivers know their sinister plans.  The citizenry will soon wonder why their beloved Campal rain trees are wilting and crumbling to the ground.  And the government will say, ‘See, we told you the rain tress of Campal are diseased and have only timber value!’ 

 Patricia Pinto, Councillor, activist

 I don’t think the government authorities have any real concern for trees.  Trees are a necessity whether for their shade, fruit, wood or plain aesthetics. A city without trees is perilous for humans.  The government had distinctly stated in the last Assembly that 60 per cent of trees in Panjim are diseased and have to be cut.  A study was made, on what basis heaven knows!   The GSIDC asked for consultancy services from Milind Mokashi of Mumbai and in his report he states that the Campal trees are out of place and they have only timber value and need to be replaced with very tall trees to provide a panoramic view of the Mandovi.  There are several buildings that block the view of the Mandovi, by the logic of Mr. Mokashi, should these buildings be razed to the round for a better panoramic view of the river? Does Milind Mokashi, understand the concept of an “avenue” and its trees, in the first place? And has the government adopted a new modis operandi of destroying the Campal trees by deliberately digging at the roots and loosening the mud around the rain trees so that the trees ultimately die? 

 Daniel D’Souza, Horticulture Department

 Regarding the Campal rain trees, I do not wish to make any comment, please.  The best person to give you information about them is the Panjim Commissioner, N Suryanarayan. 

 But I would like to inform you that  the Keeping the City Green drive, initiated by ex-commissioner of Panjim, Sanjit Rodrigues, has been continued by us for we are planting hundreds of plants  in various places in Campal, Miramar, KTC area, Altinho, Mala - in short, within the limits of the CCP. And we have enlisted the help of school and college students to nurture them.

 Percival Noronha, historian, writer

 It’s a sad story, indeed. It is obvious that those indulging in this activity of destroying the rain trees along the Campal avenue has no foresight. Once the roots are damaged the life of the tree is reduced and before long it will wither and crumble to the ground.  The government should adopt a process of recycling.  If some of the rain trees are damaged in the process of construction, new plants could be grown in the same.  Rain trees have a shorter life than Teak (120 years approx.) and Peepal (600-800 years approx.) trees. The Corporation could plant Neem trees along the avenue which are very ecofriendly.

 The beautiful avenue must be maintained in spite of all the upgradation - the Campal avenue is synonymous with the capital of Goa for decades…..

 Prajal Sharkardande, promoter of history and heritage

 The Campal rain trees have to be protected at all cost because this avenue of trees is Goa’s most beautiful area.  It is Panjim’s breathing space where nature and man coexist.  But the authorities seem to be blind to this in their mad rush to meet the IFFI deadline.  The tap roots of several trees have already been destroyed and before long the whole stretch will be a dead zone – the canopy of flowers and leaves filled with chirping birds will be no more.  These trees reduce the humidity and is a cool zone which is enjoyed by the average man on the street but all this means nothing to the ministers who move around only in their ‘government sponsored’ air-conditioned cars besides lacking aesthetic sense, of course. 

 Several protests and complaints have been lodged to the concerned authorities. Consultant Milind Mokashi, in his report has stated that the Campal avenue does not have a ‘garden’ look and is ill-suited for the plan. This is wrong!

 Four-lane roads are a necessity but not at the cost of our heritage rain trees.  The people of Goa and especially the residents of Panjim, should be more alert about their own future and the future of their children so that development is in tune with the environment. Let us not create a graveyard of trees for posterity in the heart of Panjim city….

 Dr. H. Karapurkar, President, Botanical Society

 The road and construction work will be over in another fortnight or so. The Botanical Society, an NGO, is very aware of the situation and we shall meet shortly to chalk out an action plan to offer technical guidance to the authorities.  The rain trees which were planted by the Portuguese in 1927 under a beautification plan are rather old today.  Along the Kala Academy to Miramar stretch about six/seven trees will be cut down to accommodate the widening of roads and footpaths but we shall endeavour to plant, not necessarily in the same place,  specific type of trees which are conducive to the area.  

 Annand Madgavkar, businessman and sportsman

 If the builders want to cut the Campal trees let them take the necessary permission from the Forest Department.  But do not cut them at the roots because the trees will not only have a torturously slow death but may also fall down suddenly in the middle of the road and kill innocent road users. The haphazard and whimsical changes of the original plans must stop.

 Also the haphazard digging is very dangerous for all drivers on this route because basic precautions are not taken.  From Miramar to Dona Paula, stones have placed indicating diversion of traffic and rejoining to the main road.  This is extremely dangerous, especially at night when sometimes street lights are non-existent or non-functional along vast stretches of road area. If diversions are a must, the traffic police must be asked to guide the builders and warning boards must be positioned to alert drivers.

 Only time will tell how much damage has been done to the roots of the rain trees and whether the trees will recover from the injuries done to them and whether they are able to survive the concrete strangulation.

 Mario Miranda, cartoonist

 The lethargy of the Goan people, especially the people of Panjim city, is very saddening. It is not just the government’s fault but the people too are guilty of extreme inertia   regarding their   social responsibility and accountability. 

 I detest going to Panjim these days because I cannot bear to see the wanton destruction of the rain trees which are ‘distinctive’ of the city of Panjim for over eight decades. We should forget about trying to make Goa into another Singapore because Goa is Goa with its own character and identity.  The changing face of Goa, in the name of progress, is appalling for there are limitations to development. Let change not alter our identity and uniqueness forever.