Goa to fund salt pan conservation, launch plantation drive along highways

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced new green initiatives, including financial support for salt pan preservation and a large-scale bamboo plantation drive along highways, to promote biodiversity conservation.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced a series of new green initiatives aimed at biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods, including financial support for salt pan preservation and a large-scale bamboo plantation drive along highways.

Speaking on the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity here, Sawant said around 50 salt farmers in the state have been provided financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each to preserve traditional salt pans.

He said the government is committed to protecting all salt pans in the state and is willing to enhance the aid beyond Rs 1 lakh if required to ensure their conservation for future generations.

In another initiative, the chief minister said the state will undertake bamboo and other plantation activities along 250 km of state and national highways starting June 5.

Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and self-help groups will maintain the plantation stretches, with the government bearing the expenses, including salaries, he said.

Sawant described Goa as one of the richest biodiversity regions in the country, noting that nearly 450 bird species are found in the state.

He said that legislative measures such as the Biodiversity Conservation Act have played a key role in protecting natural resources from unchecked development.

''Protecting nature is not just the government's responsibility, but that of every individual,'' Sawant said, calling for collective efforts to conserve the state's ecological wealth.