Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday announced a series of 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 in Panaji, Sawant said around 50 salt farmers in the state have been provided financial assistance of Rs one lakh each for the preservation of traditional salt pans.
He said the government is committed to protecting all salt pans in the state and is willing to enhance the financial support beyond Rs one lakh if required to ensure their conservation for future generations.
Highlighting another initiative, the chief minister said the state will undertake bamboo and other plantation activities along 250 km of state and national highways from June 5.
The plantation stretches will be maintained by Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) and self-help groups, 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 species of birds 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 responsibility of the government, but of every individual,” Sawant said, calling for collective efforts to conserve the state’s ecological wealth.
