Goemkarponn desk
CANACONA: In his hunt to study the ancient trees in the State of Goa, Governor of Goa P S Shreedharan Pillai on Thursday undertook ‘Goa Saimik Daiz Yatra (The Tour of Natural Heritage of Goa), beginning at Parthagal mutt.
Early Thursday morning, Pillai reached Parthagall Mutt; after paying darshan to the Swami went straight to the Banyan Tree, a large one situated in mutt precincts believed to be 2000 years old.
The giant banyan tree is also traditionally known to provide shade to thousands of people under its sprawling branches spreading all around. Governor also offered prayers at this heritage tree, one of the many such heritage and oldest trees he will visit as part of his Saimik Daiz Yatra in the State of Goa.
Governor later came to Shristhal and inspected yet another well known sacred Jarmal tree, also known as Shidam.
This big and tall Jarmal tree, also known as hundreds of years old, is worshipped by locals in the vicinity. During his visit to both the tree sites, Governor took a keen interest in knowing and understanding their (trees) as well as the history and culture of both places. Governor is very keen to learn the rich eco-cultural traditions behind the sacredness of these ancient and heritage trees and their deep spiritual and cultural bonds of the local communities in the State.
Speaking to the media at Shristhal, Governor Pillai informed, “we have already identified 31 trees, and I am visiting all these trees. I am publishing a book in English and Hind with information and pictures of these heritage and sacred trees and later on in some local languages also, and without any price, we will make it available all over the country, and people will know such trees are there in Goa. When people from other states visit here as tourists, they will be attracted to these places.”
Later, Governor and his entourage, without taking a lunch break arranged at Cotigao Forest Guest House, left for Dabolim Airport to receive an Ex-President arriving in the State. Governors will visit many more ancient and heritage trees all over the State, periodically at different phases/visits.
Bio-Diversity Management Committee, through its chairman Vinay Tubki, submitted a copy of their report with useful information collected on diversity and traditional practices. Shree Mallikarjun Devasthan Committee President Vithoba Dessai also submitted a case study paper on heritage, rituals and traditional practices in Canacona to the Governor.
Canacona MLA / GLA Speaker Ramesh Tawadkar and Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar were also present, besides others.
As per sources at the Raj Bhavan Governor is working on publishing five books on the Heritage Trees of Goa, Islands of Goa, Spiritual Tourism and Art and Architecture of Temples and Churches of Goa.
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