Tensions erupted in Porvorim, North Goa, on March 2 as authorities partially demolished the outer boundary wall of a Mandir while relocating a 200-year-old banyan tree. Amidst protests from local residents, the police detained two individuals as a preventive measure.
Last week, the Bombay High Court at Goa authorised the Public Works Department (PWD) and a contracted firm to proceed with the translocation of the banyan tree. The tree is being relocated as it lies in the path of a six-lane elevated corridor under construction on National Highway 66.
On March 2, when PWD officials arrived with police personnel and an earthmover to begin the translocation of the tree, local residents and activists protested, expressing concerns about potential damage to the Mandir and the removal of the murti. The outer boundary wall of the temple was partially demolished, but the process was later halted in the evening.
“There were concerns that pruning the tree branches during the translocation might cause damage to the temple structure. After discussions, it was decided to relocate the deity’s idol. The Mandir pandit and devotees performed prayers before the murti was moved. However, some locals opposed the relocation of the murti, leading to tensions. As a result, two people were detained for obstructing the police,” an official stated.
As the stand-off persisted, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant issued a statement, saying, “The Goa government will reconstruct the Dev Shri Khapreshwar Mandir at the new location of the transplanted banyan tree.” Devanand Prabhu, Joint Mamlatdar of Bardez, later informed the media, “The removal of the Dev Khapreshwar murti has been halted to avoid a law-and-order issue. We will proceed according to the law.”
In December 2024, a group of environmentalists sent a letter to the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, urging a redesign of the elevated corridor’s span to prevent the demolition of the temple and banyan tree. The environmentalists emphasised that both the tree and the Mandir are considered sacred and are worshipped by many.
When addressing the petition regarding the tree’s translocation last week, the High Court ruled that the procedure should be carried out by the contractor in strict accordance with the methodology approved by the Deputy Conservator of Forests. The petitioner had opposed the translocation, citing a report from an ecological consultant that warned the tree would be severely damaged for decades and questioned whether it could ever return to its original state.
Environmentalist Avertino Miranda, convener of the Goa Green Brigade, expressed concern, stating, “The court order was specifically regarding the banyan tree, but the authorities went beyond that by demolishing the Mandir, which has caused tension in the area and hurt the sentiments of the people.”
He added, “According to the timeline provided, the tree was supposed to be translocated between March 5 and March 10. We are not opposed to translocation itself, but based on past experiences, the five trees that were previously translocated are almost dead. In other instances in the state, translocation has failed.”
