the goan I network
BICHOLIM
Stating that the concept of environmental conservation is prevalent every form of religion, Union AYUSH Minister Shripad Naik has said the protection and preservation of environment is integral to culture and religion.
The union minister was addressing a Tree Plantation programme organised by the Forest department in association with Goa Institute of Management (GIM), Sakhali, & Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd on Saturday. Officials from the Forest department and GIM were present on the occasion.
“Goa being a part of Western Ghats, one of the 4 biological hotspots of the country, is home to wide variety of endemic plants and animals. Goa is the smallest state, but has more than 68% of its geographic area under forest and tree cover and more than 70% of its forest area is either inside wildlife sanctuary or national park,” said Naik.
Insisting that Goa is not only famous for its beaches, food and heritage, but also for its rich and attractive biodiversity, Naik admitted that in order to meet the developmental requirements of the citizens, some trees are required to be cut.
“While we cannot avoid all this, however we can replenish the loss by way of tree plantation. It is not the sole responsibility of the government to plant trees to make the city green. We must all work for this cause,” he said.
“Even when the importance of tree plantation is evident, there are only a handful of people who actually take it as their responsibility to indulge in this activity. It is therefore imperative to carry out plantation as much as possible because when you plant a tree, you plant a hope for future.”
The union minister appreciated efforts by the forest department in collaboration with Goa Tamnar Transmission Project Ltd. to make hard lateritic soil plantation worthy, by digging deep pits with excavators, bringing garden soil from outside and planting tall fruit and flower bearing tree species.
Appealing to students of Goa Institute of Management to come forward and contribute their bit for the cause of environment by planting a tree, Naik advised them to take a pledge to take care of the plant for next 2 years while they are in the campus, so that when they come back to their alma mater, they can see the life flourishing in the form of a tree.
