VASCO
Goencho Ekvott on Sunday called for stronger environmental protection laws after completing its sixth Mangrove Restoration Programme at Cortalim, where more than 300 mangrove saplings were planted in memory of late environmentalist Dr Bolmax Pereira.
Addressing a press conference, Joint General Secretary Olencio Simoes and founder member Orville Dourado said the plantation drive was organised by St Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, along with Goencho Ekvott, One Earth Foundation, Goa Green Ecosystem and the Chicalim Youth Farmers Club. The programme was supported by the Goa State Biodiversity Board, the Diocesan Commission for Ecology and the Biodiversity Management Committee of Sancoale. Simoes said mangroves play a vital role in protecting Goa’s coastline by reducing coastal erosion and storm surges.
He added that they store large amounts of carbon and provide breeding grounds for fish, prawns, crabs and other marine species, supporting the livelihoods of traditional fishing communities.
Expressing concern over changes to environmental regulations, Simoes alleged that amendments, including those to the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, have favoured development over environmental protection. He demanded amendments to the Goa Preservation of Trees Act, 1984, and called for the compensatory plantation requirement to be increased from three trees to at least ten for every tree felled, with strict monitoring.
He also opposed compensatory afforestation outside Goa for projects involving tree felling within the state, saying trees lost in Goa should be replaced in Goa itself.
Dourado thanked students, volunteers and environmental groups for taking part in the restoration drive and said the organisation would continue its conservation and awareness programmes across the state.
