Panaji, June 7: A Goa Forest Department official has lodged a police complaint against State Minister Subhash Phal Desai, alleging illegal transportation of soil from an iron ore dump located within a reserved forest area in Kushavati district.
According to the complaint filed at the Quepem Police Station by Kurdi Range Forest Officer Sonia B. Rane, the incident occurred in a government forest area at Colomba village in Sanguem taluka.
The complaint alleges that Minister Phal Desai, who heads the State River Navigation Department, along with his supporters, obstructed Forest Department officials from taking action against the alleged illegal activity. It further claims that trees were illegally uprooted during the soil transportation, constituting violations of forest laws and government policies aimed at protecting forests and enhancing green cover.
The Forest Department has sought police intervention to investigate the matter and take appropriate legal action. Further investigation is underway.
