Panaji, Feb 7 (UNI) Senior Congress leader and Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology and Forests Chairman Ashwini Kumar today criticised the Goa Government for amending the Goa Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act, 1984 and removing the tree status given to Coconut. Addressing a press conference at a resort at Majorda, Mr Kumar said,' A Coconut tree in Goa is not regarded as a tree. It is regarded as a grass which is extremely unusual and we have recommended that definition of the tree be undertaken as per the Tree Protection Act.' Mr Kumar was asked if it is neither a grass and nor a tree then what it is? He replied, 'In the law we have to see the net effect of the definition. If the absence of clear and unambiguous description of a particular species leads to its destruction then surely the law will have to be changed. I am not saying that you do not make classifications but if you make classifications like this then it can not stand judicial scrutiny.' Mr Kumar said the representatives of the Union Environment Ministry had been engaged with the state government authorities, with a view to find ways and means to implement in letter and spirit, all the possible laws, to put on record all tardy implementation of environment laws and regulations. The committee took objection to single window clearances accorded by the Investment Promotion Board of Goa. 'We discussed in the meeting the single window system clearances accorded by the Investment Board of Goa whereby exemptions were given for obtaining clearances that we found was not the right way to go about it. We believe that in the non-notified industrial area, requirement of getting all necessary clearances was necessary,' he said. To another question, he said 'the kind of effort that is required to protect the esteemed environmental and ecological glory of Goa seems not to be there. We need to ensure that all regulations and laws are first made effective and then strictly implemented and it should be evident because what we do now will ensure how future generation of the country will live.' In December last year, the government had approved the amendment to the Goa Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act, 1984, and removed the status of tree given to Coconut. UNI AKM PY AJ 2053