the goan I network
BICHOLIM
Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant has urged the youth and students to join in tree plantation in their neighbourhood, schools, parks and farmlands to make Goa clean and green.
Chief Minister was speaking on the occasion of inauguration and tree plantation drive of Van Mahotsav “ 2019 at Ravindra Bhavan, Sankhali on Monday.
Others present on the occasion were Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Subhash Chandra, Dy Chief Conservator of Forests Santosh Kumar, Member Secretary of Ravindra Bhavan (Sakhali) Sripad Arlekar and Vice Chairman of Ravindra Bhavan (Sankhali) Vithoba Ghadi.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister said: “Through the concerted efforts of schools and mass awareness programmes, people can do well to understand surrounding plants, trees, birds and wild animals and can identify the steps required for a sustainable eco-development.”
Speaking further, the chief minister said Goa despite being on fast track of development has been able to protect its forest due to public support and social ethos.
“For a small state like Goa, it is a remarkable achievement to have good land under forest and tree cover and maintaining its rich biodiversity, which makes Goa special green paradise,” said Dr Sawant.
Keeping in mind the role of forests in the well being of humans, the chief minister said the government has decided to highlight the importance of forests and trees by celebrating vanamahotsava for entire months of July and August, to sustain Goa’s greenery and to make Goa healthier and a happier place for visitors.
On the occasion, the chief minister launched a medicinal plant Mobile Van and free medicinal plants were also distributed to the public.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Subhash Chandra welcomed the gathering, while Dr Dayanand Rao compered the programme and Vithoba Ghadi later proposed the vote of thanks.
