CURTORIM: The Curtorim village panchayat has stepped up its efforts against hill cutting, installing a warning board at Battiem after intervening to stop earth-cutting activity at the site.
Sarpanch Milagres Rodrigues, along with panchayat members, installed the board on Monday, warning property owners and developers against carrying out unauthorised hill-cutting activities in the village.
Rodrigues said the panchayat acted after receiving information about the earth-cutting work and subsequently lodging a complaint with the flying squad. The activity was stopped before the warning board was installed.
He said the board was meant to clearly communicate the panchayat’s position and caution those involved in property development.
The Sarpanch urged residents and developers to follow existing regulations and said the panchayat would take action against violations. He also appealed to villagers to immediately report suspected illegal hill cutting.
Rodrigues said the panchayat was committed to protecting Curtorim’s green landscape and sought public cooperation in preventing damage to the village’s natural terrain.
The matter has also been brought to the attention of Curtorim MLA Reginaldo Lourenco, who Rodrigues said has extended support to the panchayat’s efforts.
The development comes amid concerns raised by residents of Maina over proposed housing projects in the area. Residents have approached the Curtorim panchayat, Salcete BDO and the Additional Director of Panchayats, South Goa, seeking intervention regarding the projects.
