Vanamahotsav was recently celebrated by Wilfred D’Sa Charitable Society Nuvem in association with village panchayats of Betalbatim and Majorda-Utorda-Calata. The celebrations were held at Betalbatim and Utorda Beach wherein several saplings were planted. The programme will continue in its first phase, planting 5000 various saplings along 5 km stretch of coastal belt of Betalbatim, Majorda and Utorda to protect the beaches from erosion by sea.
Rev Fr. Pascoal Afonso, Parish Priest of Betalbatim Church appealed the students to take good care and protect the trees to avoid further sand erosion. Ajai Saxena IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest, said that India is very reach in its forest resources, and urged the participants to grow more trees in order to make up for the ones that are cut down. ZP member Nelly Rodrigues appreciated the initiative, observing that it is a good effort to protect the coast from erosion.
Wilfred D’Sa of Charitable Society, in his address, said, that the total forest cover of Goa is around 60%. Forests, agricultural land, beaches are God’s gift to us and it is our duty and responsibility to protect them. Chief Guest Mr. Luizinho Faleiro in his address said that Our children are our Wealth. They are the future leaders of our nation. Mr. Faleiro appreciated Mr. Wilfred D’Sa for taking this Initiative of planting 5000 saplings along the coast. He said Babashan is lover of Farmers, Agriculture and today you are the lover of Forest. The beautiful beaches in Goa, the God given nature, it is our duty to protect then n give to future generations.
He said we celebrate all Feast but today we are celebrating “Feast of Trees” and appealed to grow at least one plant. He said it is he who brought the bill in the Assembly for Protection and preservation of Trees and it is law today in Goa.
Around 350 students from Fr. Agnel Higher Secondary School, Verna, Carmel Higher Secondary School, Nuvem, Fr. Basilio Higher Secondary School Majorda, Our Lady of Lourdes School Utorda, St. Anthony School Majorda, Mae DOS Porbes school Nuvem, Holy Rosary Convent Nuvem, St. Jude and Govt. Primary School Betalbatim participated and planted the saplings.
Others participants of the event included Manish Khanna, MD, Jasmine Resorts, Uday Pradhan, GM, Nanu Resorts, Siddharth Savkur, GM, Alila Diwa, Shawn D’Sa of Planet Hollywood, Anil Noronha, ZAO, Siddesh Gaude, RFO, and members of village panchayats of Betalbatim, Majorda-Utorda-Calata, Nuvem, Verna, Nagoa and Loutulim.
