The Sunday article “From Sacred Groves to a Wasteland –journey of a forest ” by Alexandre Moniz Barbosa (July 1) is a spotlight and the writer deserves compliments. There is no denying the fact that Goa’s forests are treasure houses from antiquity, two tribal communities the Kunbis and Gavdas merit attention. Forests cover is about from conservative 20% to 33 in recent times, the part of the Western Ghats is truly the biodiversity hotspot with rich flora and fauna. With such natural resources and rivers in command Goa and her people have no reason to fret and fume, forest cover and waters can provide everything which humans need and the government policy needs to protect and preserve the natural gifts and also embark on authentic modernisation without causing any decimation to ages old beliefs and structures, that constitutes essential governance to bring smile and cheer in every Goenkar. But that is not happening in recent times and hence all round confusion and concern. To be precise, we are treading the path of money making at all costs sacrificing the good and the noble. However, it is good to hear that Government is going to plant more trees.
The writer has devoted much on Rajendra Kerkar’s book ‘Sacred groves of Goa’ and this is really on the spot. For readers who may not be aware, Kerkar is a missionary environmentalist and is one of the 10 members of the National Wildlife Board whose chairman is our PM Narendra Modi. Not only Goa, Kerkar has done extensive studies in regard to few other States, it may be necessary to recall that he has opposed BJP government’s decision to make coconut tree (cultivated species) the State Tree, instead he has upheld 1975 decree to make matti tree or the crocodile tree the same; matti tree gives everything beneficial, on the other hand coconut trees benefit the cutters and used for building hotels.
Another noted environmentalist Claude Alvares deserves mention for he had exposed how callous mining activities have destroyed forestry in Goa. In the words of Kerkar “Once through various taboos related with them, the sacred groves have been completely or nearly immune from human interference on grounds of religious beliefs” but not now. Common saying is Goa has 93 sacred groves, spread in Sattari, Pernem, Bicholim, Quepem and Canacona. They are considered so pure that even a visitor to see bushes, trees and waterfalls have to go without any footwear to give respect to these sanctified areas.
Environmentalists can be our true friends in maintenance and preservation of forestry. We cannot revert back to old times, we can certainly march ahead to meaningful lives utilising the best of ancestral and the modern, Goa ranks fifth in forest cover, a social and economic system be so devised and implemented with right earnest.
Nothing will be more eye-catching than this. As a well wisher I will like to see Goa a perfect paradise, not with pain and trauma.
