Pomburpa, October 31: A joint team of Forest Department officials, including the Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF), Sub-Divisional Forest Officer (SDFO), Range Forest Officer (RFO) and IC RF-Bardez, conducted a site inspection at Survey No. 29/1-C, located above the iconic Pomburpa Spring, following complaints of continued destruction of a notified private forest.

Despite previous penalties and registered offences, landowner Mr. Jonnalgadda Reddy has allegedly continued tree felling and clearing of bushes in the protected area, raising serious concerns over repeated violations of Goa’s environmental laws.

Village representatives led by Mr. Dhirendra Phadte have repeatedly raised objections to these activities, alleging that the systematic removal of green cover is a deliberate attempt to undermine the land’s private forest classification and facilitate future commercial development.

The villagers have demanded stringent action against the alleged violations, immediate protection of the remaining forest cover and effective enforcement of environmental regulations to safeguard the ecologically sensitive area surrounding Pomburpa Spring.