Tree plantation for qualitative improvement of Forests
Total 615 ha (217 ha under CAMPA and 398ha under State plan) plantation has been created under Compensatory Afforestation Scheme and Assisted Natural Regeneration in degraded forests area during the year 2024-25. The Forest Department has planted mangrove sapling over an area of 6ha.
"EK PED MAA KE NAAM" plantation Campaign
The Goa State Forest Department has actively implemented the plantation campaign "EK PED MAA KE NAAM" coordinating with various State departments to promote large-scale afforestation. Each department was advised to appoint a Nodal officer responsible for overseeing the initiatives and ensuring that photographs and relevant details of the plantation activities were uploaded to the portal https://merilife.nic.in . For the 2024-25 campaign, Goa State was tasked with planting 200,000 seedlings across 300 hectares of area. Against this target 5.39 lakh seedlings were planted on 450 Ha by October 2024 itself and Goa was one of the first States to achieve the target set by the Ministry. With the assistance of BSNL, a special campaign was organised through which all mobile subscribers of the State of Goa were encouraged to take part in the plantation campaign through special messages on their mobiles.
Celebration of Vanmahotsava
The department has organised extensive plantation and awareness programmes in various parts of Goa as part of three-month long Vanmahotsava from July- September, 2024. During Vanmahotsava2024-25, more than 1.22 lakh tree saplings including ornamental and medicinal plants were distributed, free of cost.
Soil & Water conservation
measures
To improve water regime and soil fertility of forest and surrounding areas, Staggered trenches 49,768 nos. and check Dams 12 nos. have been constructed during FY 2024- 25, inside notified forest areas.
Celebration of Wildlife week
The 73rd Wildlife week was celebrated from 2nd to 8th October 2024 to create awareness on protection and conservation of wildlife. The theme was “Wildlife Conservation through Coexistence”. Events such as essay writing in Konkani, Marathi, Hindi & English languages, Quiz Competition and Photography competition for college students, Reels making competition for College and University students, Poster competition for high school students and Drawing competition for primary students and specially-abled students were organized.
Promotion of Nature
Education and Ecotourism
in Protected Areas
Nature Interpretation Centres and Ecotourism Complexes are being strengthened in forests to create public awareness and provide nature and environmental education. Around 98,604 tourists visited National Park and Wildlife Sanctuaries and Rs. 327.75 lakh of revenue was generated through Eco-tourism and allied activities. Revenue of Rs. 8.70 lakh was generated through the sale of forest produce in the financial year 2024-25(till October 2024). Goa Forest Development Corporation(GFDC) has been nominated as Nodal agency for promotion of Eco-tourism in forest and wildlife areas and GFDC is involved in Eco-tourism activities at Bondla, Surla and Dudhsagar areas. The eco-tourism facilities developed by GFDC at Salaulim Dam Site, jeep safari at Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and the renovated cottages and other eco-tourism facilities at Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary have recently been inaugurated for encouraging sustainable eco-tourism in the hinterland of the state.
Celebration of Bird Festival
Goa Forest Department has organised the 8th Bird Festival of Goa during the period from 17/1/25 to 19/1/25 to promote Bird tourism and Bird conservation activities in the State of Goa. The festival was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Forest Minister, Goa. On this occasion, two looks on birds namely “Threatened Birds of Goa” and “Blooms and Birds of Goa’s Forest” were launched by Hon’ble Forest Minister. The Hon’ble Minister also launched the Mascots for each of the wildlife sanctuary/National Park in the State to attract the nature lovers there. The main event of the bird festival was held at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and the side events were held at different places in Goa during this period. Hon’ble speaker of the State Legislative Assembly addressed the gathering at Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary on the second day of the festival and on the last day the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest/HoFF of Uttarakhand State and the Sarpanch of Poinguim Panchayat graced the closing ceremony of the festival as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
Celebration of cashew festival
GFDC organized 3 day long cashew festival in April 2024 to promote the cashew industry in the State and to provide a platform to all stakeholders for discussing the various issues being faced by the industry /cashew growers.