The Goa state assembly recently amended existing laws to take coconut off the list of protected trees.
With the opposition and environmentalists opposing the Goa government's removal of protection given to the coconut tree under the law, Goa chief minister Laxmikant Parsekar has defended the change in laws as a pro-farmer and pro-people move.
"My conscience is 100% clear. I assure Goa's green cover won't be affected," he told NDTV in an exclusive interview in Panaji. The assembly recently passed a bill brought in by Mr Parsekar's government to amend the existing law to do away with restrictions on felling coconut trees.
He blamed environmentalists and the opposition for "misinterpreting" facts in alleging the Preservation of Trees Act was amended to help the builder and corporate lobbies clear land. Mr Parsekar said their objections are "only political."
"It's an election year and people are being fooled by the opposition," he said.
On allegations that the government had made the amendment to help an upcoming distillery clear coconut trees on its land, Mr Parsekar claimed the law has always allowed industries to cut coconuts trees. "As far as I know, the distillery officially got permission and has already cut the coconut trees. Before the amendment too builders could cut coconut trees by seeking permission. Only cutting of young trees was not allowed. No permissions will be now needed to cut coconut trees," Mr Parsekar said.
He said the amendment would ease the procedural burden on farmers and those who want to cut their coconut trees if they grow precariously over their homes. The chief minister said that coconut tree is agricultural produce just like banana and the areca nut and not forest produce and hence, requires no protection.
"It is a blatant lie that the number of coconut trees has decreased as claimed by the opposition. The law (has been) changed in the interest of farmers and people. Why should farmers seek permission to cut a rotting tree?" he asked.
Every year, he claimed, the government plants 25,000 new coconut saplings and about 1,000 dead trees are chopped off. "If needed, we shall give the coconut tree agricultural protection. But there is no re-think on the amendment. It's not required," he said.