PANAJI
In a significant move, the Goa government has roped in reputed environmental research institute The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to advise it on environmental protection issues and also for sustainable initiatives in agriculture and developing the State's blue economy.
On Wednesday, memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between Goa's Department of Environment and TERI which primarily focuses on fine tuning development initiatives in the State to ensure these are environmentally sustainable.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and TERI director general Dr Vibha Dhawan and Dr Wilfred Dias who is a Goan and heads TERI's product development, at the State Secretariat in Porvorim.
Sawant who spoke to the media said the collaboration will primarily focus on coastal and marine resource management as well as future initiatives related to the blue economy, climate change, biodiversity conservation and agricultural resource management and livelihoods.
TERI will also work in the tourism sector to promote eco-tourism activities which are environmentally sustainable, he said and expressed the hope that "time to time advice" from the renowned institute will go a long way in making Goa's development sustainable.
"The partnership with TERI will play a key role in enhancing Goa's environmental sustainability with particular attention to preserving the State’s unique coastal ecosystems. For a start, it will prepare a report for the revival of Goa's unique agricultural practices in Khazan fields," Sawant said.
