Activist and villagers say massive clearing has taken place to make way for bungalows; Nature and wildlife lovers from Kolzar have also alleged that the forests on the other side of the hills have been flattened and cleared for construction
A cleared patch of forest land near Kolzar village (right) an access path created by felling trees. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
A four-kilometre stretch inside the Western Ghats forest in Kolzar in Dodamarg taluka of Sindhudurg district, which is a part of an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA), has allegedly been heavily quarried, stripped of tree cover and left badly damaged, raising serious concerns over environmental violations and ecological loss.
Environmentalist Stalin D from NGO Vanashakti has complained about this to the principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife) of the Maharashtra Forest Department, the head of forest force, additional principal chief conservator of forest (wildlife west), collector of Sindhudurg, deputy conservator of forest (Sawantwadi), principal secretary of the Maharshtra Pollution Control Board Environment Department, and the director general of forest - Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.
In his letter, Stalin D has alleged that massive deforestation, hill cutting, and quarrying are taking place inside the Sawantwadi-Dodamarg wildlife corridor. “We are particularly concerned with unprecedented large-scale destruction in Kolzar village of Dodamarg. We have visited the site and were horrified to see that almost 4 km of forest has been excavated, quarried, and a fresh vehicular access path created by pushing trees down the slopes and excavating the hills.”
Nature and wildlife lovers from Kolzar have also alleged that the forests on the other side of the hills have been flattened and cleared for construction. “Villagers of Kolzar were caught unawares as the destruction unfolded deep inside the forests. They have protested and also lodged complaints with relevant authorities. We have attached videos of the site, which clearly establish the illegal excavation, destruction of forest trees, and creation of paths inside the forests. Though the forests may not be owned by the government, they need to be protected inside this fragile, pristine wildlife corridor.” Stalin D
About Kolzar village
Kolzar is protected as an ESA in the final judgement the Bombay High Court passed in Public Interest Litigation (PIL) 198 of 2014, read with PIL 179 of 2012. There is a tree-felling ban in Dodamarg imposed by the high court, and the task force constituted by the court has the responsibility of protecting this wildlife corridor. While the sale and purchase of land is not illegal, but tree felling inside the crucial wildlife corridor (Sawantwadi-Dodamarg) is not permitted. It is anticipated that the alleged massive tree felling will only cause more disturbance to the wildlife habitats, and it will increase human-wildlife conflict.
Implement HC judgement
Locals and nature lovers have appealed to authorities to take steps for the implementation of the HC judgement in letter and spirit. Stalin, in his letter, also demanded the prohibition of all environmentally destructive activities inside the wildlife corridor, and steps to demarcate it physically.
“We call upon you to register offences under all applicable laws and also for contempt of court. An action taken reply beyond the imposition of a fine for illegal excavation and mining is expected. Also, please start efforts to restore the areas that have been severely damaged due to the illegal actions by so-called ‘investors’,” said Stalin D.
What villagers say
Kolzar village resident Devendranath Purushotam Desai said, “Awareness boards should be installed to clearly warn that the area is protected from tree felling and forms a vital wildlife corridor. Village-level committees must be constituted to safeguard the region’s forests. Local communities have coexisted with wildlife in harmony until now, but the growing menace of deforestation to carve out bungalow plots within dense forests must be stopped.”
Another villager, Hirba Aanaji Desai, said, “We are deeply concerned over the unprecedented large-scale destruction in Kolzar village. During a site inspection, we were shocked to see that nearly 4 km of forest land had been excavated and quarried. We hope that authorities take a serious note as even though it is a private forest, it comes in the ESZ and destruction will impact biodiversity and the wildlife corridor.”
Official Speak
Vaibhav Borate, secretary of the Sawantwadi–Dodamarg Task Force, said, “Following complaints from villagers, the forest department has taken cognisance of the issue and is investigating the matter. A task force meeting is scheduled towards the end of the month, where the issue will be discussed further, and the actions taken will be reviewed.”
Sindhudurg District Collector, Trupti Dhodmise, said, “The tehsildar’s office has received a complaint. The land is privately owned, and the owners have stated that they were unaware of the tree felling. The matter is under investigation.”
Sawantwadi and Dodamarg wildlife corridor
The region is home to a rich diversity of endemic and endangered flora and fauna, several of which are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and also functions as a crucial wildlife corridor for large mammals such as the endangered tiger and the Asiatic elephant.
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