PANJIM: Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCS) of village panchayats and various groups and individuals were presented the Goa State Biodiversity Conservation Awards 2021 by the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), in appreciation of exemplary contribution in the field of conservation of biodiversity, ecology and environment.
This was done at the hands of Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral at Ravindra Bhavan, Curchorem.
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In the first category, the Best BMC Awards with prize amount of Rs 50,000 each were presented to Santa Cruz BMC from North Goa and Curti Khandepar BMC from South Goa. Appreciation awards with a prize amount of Rs 10,000 each were also awarded to Penha de Franca BMC and Mandrem BMC from North Goa and Sarzora BMC and Cavelossim BMC from South Goa.
In the second category, the Best Individual Award with a prize amount of Rs 25,000 each were conferred to Sanket Naik from North Goa and Dr Ramakant Borkar from South Goa, who is a professor at Carmel College, Nuvem. Appreciation awards with a prize amount of Rs 5,000 each were also awarded to Sujeetkumar Dongre from North Goa and Dattaram Borkar from South Goa.
In the third category, the Best Biodiversity Enthusiast Award with a prize amount of Rs 25,000 each was awarded to Amrutlal Singh from North Goa and Shricharan Desai from South Goa. Both of them were selected by suo moto recognition by GSBB members.
In the applied Biodiversity Researcher Category, Dr Sangram Keshari Das, MD, PhD, Professor and Head, Dravyaguna (Pharmacognosy and Pharmacology), Gomantak Ayurveda Mahavidyalaya and Research Center, Shiroda received the award.
In addition, Appreciation Awards for BMC Secretaries with a prize of Rs 5,000 each awarded to the local body secretaries officiating as BMC secretaries for their noteworthy work in facilitating the BMC functioning which includes Sushant Lolayekar (Agonda); Ranjana Raul (Chodan Madel); Ramesh Mandrekar (Agarwada Chopdem); Vijay Tilve (Corgao); Vandana Sawant (Molcornem); Sunita Dessai (Ambelim); Allauddin Maniyar (Chinchinim and Cavelossim); Manjita Phadte (Camurlim Bardez); Karishma Ghadi (Revora); Mandar Naik (Pernem Municipal Council); and Makarand Palav (Khazane Amere Porascodem).
Certificates of recognition for contribution in the field of Biodiversity were awarded to Dinesh Harmalkar, Fr George Quadros, Dr Suresh Kunkalikar, Francisco Fernandes (Pele), Natekar Vijaykumar, Benhail Antao, Nakul Kerkar, Dr Sreekant B, Hanuman Gawas, Dr Manohara K, Dr Shrivasharanappa Nayakvadi, Paul Fernandes, Surel Tilve, Devesh Naik, Dr Adavi Desai, the Principal Scientist (Hort) at ICAR-CCARI and Sachin Rane of Team 24.
Furthermore, the team of women working at GSBB’s Multi Processing Centre at Pale Kothambi were felicitated. Member Secretary of GSBB Dr Pradeep Sarmokadam was felicitated specially on the occasion.
Congratulating the awardees, Minister Cabral said they have immensely contributed to the biodiversity field in various forms.
