CANACONA
Staff and workers assisting to protect the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle were felicitated at Galgibaga to mark the World Turtle Day on Tuesday.
A Marine Rescue Centre was also inaugurated to rehabilitate marine life, particularly the rescued sea turtles at the forest colony in Aquem-Margao.
Under the auspices of Department of Forests, Wildlife & Eco-Tourism South Goa Division South Marine Range along with NGOs conducted an awareness programme on Turtle Protection at Galgibaga, which was attended by villagers of Galgibaga and surrounding areas.
A talk on guidance and awareness was delivered Dy Conservator of Forests Aniket P Gaonkar, Assistant Conservator of Forests Damodar Salelkar, besides the representatives of two NGOs Terra Conscious Director Dr Puja Metra and Reef Watch Project Coordinator Dr Manisha Rao. Technical aspects were shared and explained RFO Rajesh V Naik.
Canacona MLA and Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar congratulated the forest staff for their brave deeds in ensuring the safety, protecting and taking care of the marine endangered species.
He asked forest department to continue to keep up the tempo of keeping the beaches and surroundings environment clean and healthy for humans as well.
Poinguinim Sarpanch Savita Tawadkar also spoke on the occasion.
Forest Staff (Marine Rescuers) and Forest Engaged Personnel engaged in protecting the Turtle Pits, the personnel from Dristhi Life-Savers and staff of KCIC (Karnataka Commercial and Industrial Corporation- Beach Cleaning and Protection Staff) were facilitated on the occasion for their dedication in ensuring safety and preserving the beauty of coastal areas.
Some of these staff honoured on the occasion were Ulhas Pagi, Sameer Bhandari, Tukaram Metriu, Sham Bhandari, Ajay Pagi, Yesu Pagi, Sandeep Pagi, Nestor Fernandes, John Monteiro, Sarveshg Pagi, Dipti Pagi, Jarfino Carvalho, Dadapir Mulla, Sarvesh Chopdekar, Akshay Pagi, Sanjeev Metri, Ram Bhandari, Kripash Pagi, Devendra Pagi, Siddhesh Kankonkar, Sandesh Velip and Vidit Mokhardkar.
Poinguinim Deputy Sarpanch Sunil Paingankar, Panchas John Barreto, Shilpa Prabhugaonkar and Mahesh Naik were also present.
Meanwhile, the Goa Forest Department’s Wildlife and Eco-Tourism South-Goa Division Marine Range has opened a Marine Rescue Centre and it was inaugurated at Aquem Forest Colony Complex, Margao by Dy Conservator of Forests Aniket P Gaonkar to mark the World Turtle Day on Tuesday.
