Team Herald
PONDA: Candolim & Calangute Residents Unite Against Commercial Development in CRZ No-Development Zone
The price of nuts has soared to an all-time high and a middle sized coconut is priced at Rs 50 each and has had a significant impact on ordinary consumers.
Of all the ingredients used in everyday cooking in the state, the coconut is one food item that is present in every Goan kitchen.
Farmers cite a variety of reasons for the decline in coconut production, including prolonged rainfall, radiation from mobile towers, the lack of new coconut tree plantations, the felling of trees for construction, the sale of tender coconuts, and the stocking of coconuts. However, many of these claims have not been verified by agricultural officials. Despite the differing opinions, there is a general consensus that wild boar are causing significant damage to newly planted coconut saplings.
Navanath Naik, a farmer from Kavlem, shared his experience of wild boar damaging young coconut saplings. He explained that during the night, wild boar use their sharp tusks to destroy the trees, sometimes even eating the roots or coconuts. Farmers have expressed that these saplings and coconuts are a favourite food source for the boar, and have called for government intervention to address the problem.
In addition to the threat posed by wild boars, the expansion of construction projects is also impacting the coconut trees. With the older trees yielding less fruit, it is crucial that new saplings are protected. Farmers stress that without proper protection, coconut production may face a significant decline in the future. As such, they urge the government to implement measures to safeguard both new plantations and existing trees.