Goemkarponn desk
CHICALIM: The Diocesan Commission for Ecology (DCE), in collaboration with Chicalim Parish Youth, held the World Environment Day at St. Francis Xavier Church premises at Chicalim on June 5, which was the 50th World Environment Day.
The Archbishop of Goa and Daman, Most Rev. Filipe Neri Ferrão, established the Diocesan Commission for Ecology on April 23 2022, as per the guidelines of the CCBI.
The Executive Committee of the Commission was officially given charge on World Environment Day through Fr. Kenneth Teles, the Dean of Mormugao deanery, on behalf of the Archbishop. Rev. Dr Bolmax Fidelis Pereira was appointed as its first Convenor and Rev. Fr Anthony Carvalho as secretary-cum- treasurer. Dr Joshua D’Mello, Miguel Braganza, Ms Yannah Angelica Marchon, Valucio Rodrigues, Sr. Liberata Fernandes, SFN and Ms Mable Noronha was the other member appointed for a term of 3 years. Each member introduced themselves and delivered a short message for environmental protection.
Incidentally, the Archdiocese of Goa became the first diocese to implement the call given by the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India on the fifth anniversary of the encyclical Laudato Si by Pope Francis. This Commission is affiliated with CCBI Commission for Ecology, headed by Bishop-Chairman Most Rev. Allwyn D’Silva.
The day was celebrated under the theme ‘Only One Earth’, the slogan launched at 1st World Environment Day at Stockholm Conference in 1972. The WED celebrations in fact, started on June 1 for Chicalim Parish Youth with a 4-day garbage cleaning initiative titled Swach Chicalim, where the youth urged the locals to come out and clean their surroundings before the monsoon arrived.
It was conducted for four days at four different locations. On day 1 on June 1, the garbage clean-up drive was conducted at the Chicalim park, June 2 was at Naquelim, June 3 was at Dabolim, and the 4th was at St. Jacinto. On all four days, the cleanliness drive started at 4 pm, and it continued for an hour. Although not many locals were present, the youth worked to make garbage clean-up drive a success.
The Chicalim village panchayat picked up the collected garbage for proper disposal. The youth also urged people to initiate their ‘kitchen garden’ in their backyard, which could be later registered with Diocesan Commission for Ecology for further follow-up.
The 5th June program that took off with reel dance on the Hindi track’ plastic tthik na paye re’, witnessed an Art competition in 3 age groups; (5-7years) under the topic: What I Like about my environment.
