PANJIM, Feb. 7 -- Team Herald

A day after the Supreme Court warned the State government against turning Goa into a concrete jungle, environmentalists applauded the apex court's strong message on protecting the State's green cover.

The Supreme Court had dismissed the government's Special Leave Petition against a High Court order, which directed a restraint on construction in the Outline development Plan (OPD) areas of Calangute, Candolim, Arpora, Nagoa and Parra.

Speaking to Herald TV, environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar expressed concern over rapid development in the region. "Hills are being cut, rivers polluted and agricultural fields are rapidly being converted into construction zones. Tiswadi taluka is already overburdened, and now pop...