VASCO
Goencho Ekvott in association with St Joseph Vaz College, Chicalim Youth Farmers Club, Goencho Ramponkarancho Ekvott, Village Panchayat of Velsao-Pale-Issorcim along with Sarpanch Henrique D’Mello, Velsao Panch members, Goencho Avaaz Party Captain Virato Fernandes joined by Indian Navy sailors and officers led by Surg Lt Alfredo Marshal took active part in the plantation of screwpine along over 2 kms of the coastline as part of beach restoration, in tune with the theme of "Ecosystem restoration" adopted by United Nations this year on World Environment Day 2021.
The screwpines which are palm-like, dioecious trees and shrubs, have thick 'stilt roots' as anchors in the loose sand. These stilt roots emerge from the stem, usually close to but just above the ground, which helps to keep the plants upright and secure them to the ground.
The root system of the plant gives the plant the ability to protect banks of waterbodies from erosion and it enhances the water holding capacity of the soil. Screwpine fruit is consumed by crabs and many other species and these areas act as an ideal breeding site and it is ecologically called as a keystone species.
Goencho Ekvott founder member Orville Dourado Rodrigues in a press release said that Velsao and Cansaulim beaches had wide sandy beaches which had lately eroded .
"We therefore took up this ecologically positive initiative along with local villagers, students and other organisations. All involved were happy to interact with officers & sailors of the Indian Navy who had specifically come to help restore our coastline to its former glory,” said Rodrigues.
Joint Secretary of Goencho Ekvott Olencio Simoes said that the screwpine is locally called as Kerr, and was grown by of ancestors to stop water entering into their properties.
"These hardy shrubs can withstand strong waves during the monsoon as the roots of such trees have a firm grip as they are spread in a large area thus preventing soil erosion to a large extent. Therefore I appeal on account of World Environment Day that this shrub should be protected under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ),” said Simoes.
