PANJIM: A group of activists will launch State-wide ‘coconut chipko’ movement to protest the month-old amendment to the Goa preservation of trees (amendment) bill, 2016 declassifying coconut tree to a palm.
“When we speak of Goa, the first visual that hits our imagination are the coconut groves along a lane in a small village. Coconut trees have been an identity of Goa from centuries. With the Government calling the coconut tree a grass, and allowing it to be cut without any requirements of permissions, we are close to losing our identity itself,” he said.
The activists explained as to how the coconut tree continues to remain an integral and a very important part of Goan culture, heritage, music, cuisine, architecture, art, festivals, and everything that is Goan.
Goa For Giving Trust Chairman Armando Gonsalves has called the movement ‘Coconut Valentine.’ “As the draconian amendment completes one month on February 14, 2016, which happens to be Valentine’s Day, we at Goa For Giving along with the History-Heritage Action Group: Goa are planning a unique event. We call upon all lovers of Mother Goa, and the lovers of the coconut tree, to express their love, thus, symbolically the coconut tree becomes St Valentine,” he added.
While the nine-day long ‘andolan’ – supported by Congress MLA Aleixo Reginald Lourenco – will begin from Guirim and conclude at Nuvem on the Valentine’s Day, the coconut tree lovers claim the campaign will continue till the government withdraws the amendment.
Gonsalves alleged that the government carried out the amendment to benefit the builders. “The government has not given a thought to the farmers’ issues,” he added.
The Laxmikant Parsekar-led government had amended the law in the winter session of the Assembly on January 14. Three days earlier, “Save the Coconut Tree Chipko Movement” was organised by activists on the Guirim-Mapusa highway but they had to face the police wrath by way of arrests. They were, however, released after protest. The Opposition had slammed the government on the floor of the House for meting out inhuman treatment to people supporting coconut tree.
The groups have planned competitions such as photography contests during the andolan.
