PANAJI, Jun 7: The Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry has appealed to the state government to prioritise native fruit-bearing trees under its plantation campaign, saying the initiative should focus on creating a sustainable and productive green cover rather than merely achieving plantation targets.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had announced a 90-day drive starting from June 5 to plant 10 lakh trees across the coastal state as part of the ambitious ‘Green Goa, Clean Goa’ campaign, an offshoot of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative.
In a letter to CM Sawant on Saturday, GCCI welcomed the government’s plan to plant 10 lakh trees and suggested that traditional fruit-bearing species such as mango, jackfruit, kokum, jamun and tamarind be preferred over ornamental or invasive varieties wherever feasible.
“Goa’s identity is rooted in its green cover and traditional landscapes. If we plant with purpose today – choosing native fruit-bearing trees and integrating them into road design – we will gift our children a thriving, productive canopy, not just numbers on paper,” GCCI president Pratima Dhond said in the letter.
Plantations of indigenous species would help preserve Goa’s traditional landscape, promote biodiversity, reduce ambient temperatures, strengthen climate resilience and generate livelihood opportunities through harvesting and value addition of fruits, the industry body said.
GCCI further said it has been advocating sustainable roadside plantation for several years and had earlier taken up the issue with the Public Works Department, proposing plantations along national highways, state highways, bypasses and other suitable road corridors.
The success of a large-scale plantation programme depends on proper planning, species selection, site suitability, maintenance and long-term survival of trees, it pointed out.
Referring to past experiences, GCCI noted that plantations along road corridors were often lost due to subsequent road widening, utility works and infrastructure projects.
It said plantation planning should be integrated into road design and development at the initial stage itself, with adequate designated plantation zones and consideration of future expansion requirements to ensure that trees become permanent assets for the state.
The chamber also recommended the creation of a robust monitoring mechanism to assess survival rates, maintenance standards and accountability of implementing agencies.
Goa’s image as a tourism destination is closely linked to its greenery, village landscapes and ecological heritage, and preserving these features would benefit not only the environment but also tourism, agriculture and rural livelihoods, the GCCI said.
The industry body has also offered technical support to the government through its agriculture committee, which includes representatives from the agriculture, fisheries and veterinary sectors, researchers, farmers and agri-entrepreneurs, to help develop a sustainable plantation strategy for the state. (PTI )
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