Goa MLA threatens rally on coconut classification issue

Goa MLA Vijai Sardesai today demanded the state government rescind its recent law that classified coconut as palm and threatened a "public movement" over the issue.
Sardesai said if the demanded change of re-classifying coconut as 'tree' was not made in the Goa Preservation of Trees (Amendment) Bill till February 21, the "anti-BJP" forces in the state will launch a "Maad Yatra" (coconut tree rally).
"The anti-BJP forces have decided to give a deadline of next Sunday to government to have its U-turn on amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Tree Act or face a public movement," Independent MLA Vijai Sardesai told PTI.

Sardesai said the rally will start at Pernem constituency being represented by Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar who had moved the amendment to the Act.
"Government should withdraw the amendment through an ordinance by next Sunday or face the wrath of people. All the anti-BJP forces, irrespective of their party affiliation, should join this movement which is towards betterment of Goa," the MLA said.
The amendment met with a sharp reaction from opposition as well as certain quarters who feared that the change in law would lead to a "mass massacre" of coconut plantations.
Arlekar had said that the amendment was not detrimental to the coconut plantations, but was actually a minor modification to the Act.