‘Indigenous tree plantation gaining momentum in Goa’

Keri: Since the last few years, the plantation of indigenous tree species is gaining momentum as government and non-government organisations are taking interest in popularising the initiative.
Member secretary of Goa State Biodiversity Board Pradip Sarmokadam, said, “Every monsoon, we distribute saplings of indigenous species to interested Goans and it has been revealed that the survival rate of the trees is indeed satisfactory. In Mopa, where the new international airport is coming up, we distributed a variety of saplings and the majority of trees that were planted survived as people were personally involved.”
Volunteer of the Vivekanand Environment Awareness Brigade of Keri, Suryakant Gaonkar, said, “For over a decade, our organisation has been actively involved in making people aware about the importance of planting indigenous species of trees for enrichment of the ecology and wildlife of the area. Lack of seasonal fruit-bearing trees in forested areas have forced the wild animals to eat agricultural and horticultural crops, thereby intensifying man-animal conflicts.”
Realising the need of the hour, the Government Primary School, Sal, Kholpewadi, in association with the Goa State Biodiversity Board, distributed saplings of indigenous trees.
More than 100 families were given saplings through door-to-door delivery under the ‘Vruksh-Dindi’ programme. Teachers, students and parents delivered the saplings while singing environment-themed songs and explaining the significance of indigenous trees.
Madhu Gaonkar said, “When the threat of climate change and global warming is looming over our head, religious and social institutions should take the initiative to plant indigenous tree in Goa to protect their localities. It has been repeatedly seen that areas having sufficient tree cover have survived floods, cyclones and other natural calamities.”