Loliem youth on aforestation mission
THE GOAN NETWORK
CANACONA
A group of youth from Loliem-Canacona have joined hands to do what most organisations and government bodies ritually follow during the monsoon.
The Loliem youth have decided to plant a minimum of 1000 saplings in various parts of the village this year.
As part of this initiative, about 20 youth led by environmentalist Dennis Fernandes planted about 100 saplings on Sunday and will continue to plant more saplings in the days to come, to plant a minimum of 1,000 plants.
“Many youngsters from our village are concerned about heavy deforestation and have agreed to donate saplings and come forward to plant them. We will also ask school students to join us and help us to complete our task,” Fernandes, who spearheaded the concept told The Goan.
“The environmental degradation has affected the ground water level in the village, so much that every household has to fully depend on tap water. The natural resources are being destroyed and most of our villagers fear the same problem if the thick plantation on Bhagwati plateau is chopped to make way for a concrete jungle of the proposed IIT in Loliem,” he said.
During the drive, avla, tamarind, sisal, jamun, madat and fruit-bearing trees will be planted in the village.
The Loliem villagers have also contacted forest officials for supply of the required saplings.
“The Deputy Conservator of Forest has directed the RFO from Canacona to help and assist the villagers,” Fernandes said.
