Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: A recent report released by the Union Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has sounded an alarm over Goa’s environmental health, revealing a sharp decline in the State’s tree cover over the past decade. According to EnviStats India 2025: Environment Statistics, Goa’s tree cover shrank by approximately 22.75 percent between 2010-11 and 2021-22, dropping from 334 square kilometers to just 258 square kilometers.
The report highlights a steady decrease over the years, with tree cover reducing from 325 sq km in 2013-14 to 323 sq km in 2015-16, followed by a significant decline of 51 sq km by 2017-18. This downward trend underscores the growing pressure on Goa’s natural forests, raising concerns among environmentalists and policymakers alike.
Alongside the loss of tree cover, the report points to other environmental challenges facing the State. Fish production has fallen from 140.31 tonnes in 2022-23 to 135.73 tonnes in 2023-24, indicating possible ecological stress on aquatic resources. At the same time, the generation of hazardous waste has seen a troubling increase, rising from 28,484 metric tonnes annually (MTA) to 44,873 MTA.
Despite these challenges, the report notes a positive aspect — no grossly polluting industries were found discharging effluents into Goa’s rivers, reflecting effective industrial regulation and pollution control measures.
However, sanitation remains an area of concern. The report reveals that 3.7 percent of households in Goa still lack proper sanitation facilities, resorting to open defecation, contradicting the government’s earlier claim that the State is completely Open Defecation Free.
The report also sheds light on Goa’s socio-economic fabric, stating that the fisherfolk community numbers about 12,651 people across 41 fishing villages. It further notes that approximately 2.89 percent of the State’s population resides in slums. Additionally, the number of registered vehicles in Goa stood at 10.20 lakh as of 2022, highlighting increasing pressure on urban infrastructure and the environment.
These findings from EnviStats India 2025 serve as a critical reminder of the need for enhanced conservation efforts, sustainable development practices, and improved public health initiatives to safeguard Goa’s environment and quality of life for its residents.
