Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a departure from the conventional narrative that celebrates Goa primarily as a beach destination, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant asserted today that the state’s real identity and beauty lie in its lakes, rivers, and natural ecosystems.
Speaking at a brainstorming session on Mission Sarovar Punha Nirman: Reimagining Goa’s Lakes, Dr. Sawant said that the time has come to redefine Goa’s environmental priorities by giving water bodies the attention they deserve.
The CM announced that the government has identified 39 lakes across the state for rejuvenation, with a focus on ecological revival, sustainable management, and community participation.
He stressed that conservation cannot be the government’s task alone. “Panchayats, citizens, and especially the student community must take ownership of protecting these water bodies,” he urged, warning of the dangers of groundwater depletion, pollution, and irresponsible littering.
The brainstorming session, organized by the Department of Environment & Climate Change at the Panaji Gymkhana, featured noted environmentalist and Padmashree awardee Dr. Sharad Kale, along with national experts Dr. Udit Bhatia, Dr. Raghu Murtugudde, Dr. Mohit Prakash Mohanty, and Dr. Sukdeb Pal.
The discussion centered on how Goa could integrate scientific expertise with grassroots participation to restore its lakes.
Officials including Environment Secretary Arun Kumar Mishra, IAS, Goa State Pollution Control Board Chairman Dr. Levinson Martins, and other senior functionaries attended the event. The initiative aligns with Goa’s long-term developmental vision of Viksit Goa 2037 and India’s Viksit Bharat 2047.
By shifting focus from beaches to water bodies, the government is positioning Goa not just as a tourist haven but as a model state for ecological conservation.
