Goa's CM prioritizing real estate over forest protection

Jairam Ramesh, a Congress member of Parliament, has criticized Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. Ramesh says Sawant is prioritizing real estate development over protecting the state's private forests. He expressed concern that the recent Supreme Court order to stop the conversion of private forest land is only a temporary measure. Ramesh believes that the government still wants to allow construction in green areas. The Supreme Court instructed the Goa government to refrain from issuing permissions for 855 identified private forest plots. Ramesh welcomed this decision but called for ongoing vigilance. He also noted that the National Green Tribunal had previously blocked the development of denotified forest land until all plots are verified. Ramesh emphasized that more significant challenges remain ahead in the fight to protect Goa's forests.