Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has unveiled a new initiative by the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) aimed at reviving the state’s traditional salt pans. The scheme seeks to enhance local bio-salt production, restore ecological balance, and extend critical support to salt pan operators. Developed in collaboration with the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI), Bhavnagar, and local experts, the program combines modern scientific research with age-old Goan knowledge.
The announcement came during the International Day for Biodiversity 2025 celebrations in Sankhali, where CM Sawant also detailed upcoming biodiversity projects. These include the launch of two new GoVan Multi-Processing Centres in Sancorda and Rivona, expanding the network to 11 centers across Goa. Also, the state will introduce new schemes to strengthen grassroots conservation through People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) and community-driven efforts. Sawant also praised ongoing projects such as Green Skilling, the GoVan initiative, and the revival of native crops like Patni rice and Parra watermelon, underscoring the government’s commitment to preserving Goa’s ecological and cultural heritage while uplifting local communities.