Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has called for the urgent revival of Goa’s traditional salt pan industry, an integral part of the state’s cultural and ecological identity. During a recent visit to the salt pans in Batim, St. Andre constituency, Sawant met with local salt farmers who raised pressing issues including falling production, crumbling infrastructure, and the erosion of their livelihoods. In response, he pledged strong government backing and announced that the Water Resources Department will begin building new sluice gates in October—a key measure to regulate water flow and restore salt pan health.
This effort is a part of a larger state-led initiative, spearheaded by the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), aimed at restoring and rejuvenating traditional salt pans across the state. In partnership with the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, and local experts, the scheme merges modern scientific methods with age-old Goan knowledge. The focus: to boost local bio-salt production, ensure ecological balance, and empower salt pan workers. The initiative not only seeks to revitalize a fading heritage but also to create new economic pathways rooted in sustainability.