Some of the volunteers that took part in the mangrove plantation drive at Vareg Island, Chicalim.
VASCO
Thirty volunteers took part in a mangrove plantation drive at Vareg Island, Chicalim, on the theme ‘Come Let’s Man-Groove’ on June 7, as part of a year-long mangrove restoration project.
The drive was conducted by St Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, in association with Nisarga Nature Club, Chicalim Youth Farmers Club, Goencho Ekvott with the support of the forest department, Diocesan Commission for Ecology, Goa State Biodiversity Board, ICAR-CCARI (Old Goa) and Chicalim Biodiversity Committee.
Two mangrove species of Rhizophora mucronata (around 750 propagules) collected from Sancoale and Kandelia candel (nearly 250 plantlets) provided by Divar BMC, which show tolerance to high salinity, were planted on the scenic island. The activity was aimed at restoring, reviving and rivitalising mangroves at Vareg Island, Chicalim.
Dr Fr Bolmax Pereira, Assistant Professor of the Department of Botany at St Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim and coordinator of the project welcomed all the volunteers for the 3rd cycle of the plantation drive and thanked everyone for actively volunteering in the drive.
“As our contribution towards UN Decade of Ecosystem Restoration declared in 2021, let us engage ourselves in restoration of mangrove ecosystem in coastal Goa to mitigate climate change and protect ourselves from constantly rising sea level,” said Fr Pereira.
Dr Elroy Pinto, Physical Education Director of the college, said he as a sportsperson understood the importance of mangroves after getting himself involved in the initiative and called out sportspersons to join such activities frequently to save our ecology and environment.
Adv Gideon Noronha, a Panaji-based lawyer who joined in the plantation drive, said: “The recent importance by the State government for the protection of mangroves has given a clear indication to us Goans that mangrove species in and around the estuaries and the reclaimed areas is very important."
He thanked St Joseph Vaz College and other volunteers for taking up the initiative to instil a sense of ecological discipline in today’s youth.
Jerrico Vaz, member of Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC), called out to all the young people across Goa to save mangroves, especially in the coastal belts as they protect from natural disasters such as tsunamis and floods.
Rui Costa Araujo, chairperson of Chicalim BMC, expressed happiness as well as gratitude towards the organisers and volunteers for joining the restoration drive.
“It will benefit the cause of biodiversity heritage site tag for Vareg Island in the Chicalim Bay, which is the home for Schedule IV species of Widow pane oysters,” said Araujo.
Others involved in the plantation drive included President of Chicalim Youth Jonas Fernandes, Goencho Ekvott (GE) Joint Secretary Olencio Simoes, Ciya (TY student from Sancoale), Utpal (PhD scholar from BITS Pilani), Kenneth D’Souza (local resident from Chicalim), Kabir Moraes (activist and a seaman from Cuncolim) and Nelson Antao (staff of St Joseph Vaz College).
