Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The Loliem-Polem Comunidade celebrated Van Mahotsav 2026 by planting over 500 fruit-bearing and flowering saplings at the ecologically rich Madditolop area of Loliem on Friday, reinforcing its commitment to biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.
The plantation drive was organised by the Comunidade of Loliem-Polem in collaboration with the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, APRUP Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd. (MPACS), Loliem, and the students, teachers and parents of S.S. Angle Higher Secondary School, Maxem.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishwajit Varik, President of the Comunidade of Loliem-Polem, said, “Protecting Mother Earth is our shared civic duty. By planting 500 fruit and flowering trees, we are not only increasing green cover but also creating a thriving habitat for birds, insects and future generations.”
Deepak P. Vaingankar, Administrator of Comunidades (South Zone), lauded the initiative, describing it as a meaningful contribution towards eco-restoration and biodiversity conservation.
Held under the theme of biodiversity restoration and community-led conservation, the drive witnessed enthusiastic participation from volunteers, students, parents and teachers, who planted around 500 saplings at Laatbai, Madditolop, with the aim of enriching the local ecosystem and ensuring a greener future.
Among those present were Comunidade of Loliem-Polem Attorney Bhushan P. Gaonkar, Treasurer Madhav Shastri, APRUP MPACS President Eknath Prabhu Gaonkar, Forest Department Range Officers Ashveta Dessai and Navnath Gaude of the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, S.S. Angle Higher Secondary School Principal Hemant Kamat, PTA Secretary Trupti Azgaonkar, PTA Chairperson Kalpita Naik, and other members of the Comunidade and the local community.
The plantation drive highlighted the importance of collective action in protecting the environment and preserving Goa’s rich natural heritage for future generations.
