Team Goemkarponn
Panaji: In a significant push towards strengthening Goa’s environmental and wildlife conservation efforts, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane chaired a high-level meeting today with key department officials to outline a comprehensive series of initiatives.
The meeting was attended by Navin Kumar, CF Wildlife; Pravin Kumar Raghav, CCF; PCCF Kamal Datta; Jiss Verky, DCF North; Santosh Reddy, DCF South; and other forest officers. The discussions focused on coordinated strategies to enhance biodiversity protection and public awareness.
Among the key initiatives is the launch of the ‘Save the Frog’ campaign aimed at raising awareness and protecting frog habitats during the upcoming monsoon season. The department will also carry out targeted plantation drives, prioritizing native species while ensuring minimal disruption to existing ecosystems.
In light of a recent crocodile sighting incident, a population survey is currently underway. Additionally, public safety signage is being installed at identified crocodile habitats to enhance community awareness and safety.
To improve field-level accountability, forest officers will now be required to maintain detailed activity logs, which will be regularly monitored by the minister’s office.
Marking World Environment Day, the state will undertake a large-scale tree plantation drive covering both rural and urban regions to increase Goa’s green cover.
Further measures discussed include the assessment of waterhole retention capacities and the initiation of ecological studies focused on key species such as leopards and Indian gaurs. The department also plans to engage local communities in promoting human-animal coexistence.
Efforts are underway to map critical animal corridors, with plans to establish wildlife veterinary hospitals, rapid response teams, and rescue and rehabilitation centres across the state.
“These initiatives reflect our commitment to building a greener, safer Goa—for both people and wildlife,” Minister Rane said, adding that active collaboration with stakeholders will be key to the success of these programs.
The Goa Forest Department anticipates that these integrated actions will contribute significantly to the long-term sustainability of the state’s ecological heritage.
