Four century-old banyan trees, relocated from Porvorim to Guirim as part of the six-lane elevated highway project, have begun showing early signs of recovery, with fresh shoots and leaves emerging. These trees were moved to land belonging to the National Highways Authority near contractor RRSM Infra’s temporary site, following protests over plans to fell nearly 600 trees for the 5.2-km project. Public pressure led to a revised plan that reduced the number of trees to be cut, with the forest department approving the project on the condition that at least six trees would be transplanted rather than felled.
Although the Public Works Department (PWD) struggled to find a relocation site, due to non-responsiveness from local panchayats, the trees were eventually replanted along the highway at Guirim. PWD Executive Engineer Jude Carvalho confirmed that most of the transplanted trees are surviving, though one appears lifeless. The trees were heavily pruned and planted just two to three metres apart.
However, environmentalists remain wary. Avertino Miranda of the Goa Green Brigade noted that while new growth is encouraging, such signs don’t guarantee survival. He pointed to previous failures, including a transplanted tree at Campal that died after an initial spurt of leaves. He also criticised the handling of the process, citing poor use of equipment and a lack of proper care, particularly with a banyan tree near Khapreswar Temple that was reportedly cut into three parts.