VASCO: The Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday informed that in the last six years, the green cover in Goa has increased by 5 percent and the information has been confirmed by the chief conservator of forests at Delhi.
He said that five years ago green cover in Goa was around 57-58 percent, however, as per the recent data, Goa has 63 percent forest cover, which no other State except for north eastern ones has such distinction. Most states have just 18-20 percent green cover.
“In last six years, the overall green cover in Goa as per the Google record has increased by five percent and this has been confirmed by the chief conservator of forests at Delhi. Currently, the total green cover is 63 percent as against 57 to 58 percent some five to six years ago. Reserve forest is 34 percent. Except Goa and north east, no other State has got such distinction. Other States have only 18 to 20 percent green cover but here in Goa we have 34 percent of forest and the green cover is 63 percent,” Parrikar said.
He said that though due to road widening works certain numbers of trees are cut as it was basic requirements, but as a balancing formula government is planting many more trees.
“If overall greenery has been increased by five percent then it also proves that government has been increasing the greenery. Now, with regards to cutting of trees for road widening, we are planting more than the number of trees that are cut and these trees were cut as per basic requirement for road widening works and not for any luxury,” he said.
When asked whether the government has any plan to adopt transplanting of trees, welcoming the idea, he said, “Transplanting of trees is possible only in certain types of trees and at certain age. Again, for transplanting we need to hunt for land. I would welcome it but it requires proper mechanism to do it. If that (mechanism) does not exists, then, by transplanting only five trees and cutting hundred is not the solution. Better way is to plant more trees and grow them and we are doing the same.”
