Team Goemkarponn
CANACONA: The Comunidade of Loliem-Polem, in collaboration with various stakeholders, planted more than 500 saplings at Madditolop in Loliem on Friday as part of Van Mahotsav 2026 celebrations.
The plantation drive was organised jointly by the Comunidade of Loliem-Polem, the Khotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, APRUP Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society Ltd, Loliem, and the students, teachers and parent community of S.S. Angle Higher Secondary School, Maxem.
The initiative, centred on biodiversity restoration and community-led conservation, saw volunteers, students, parents and teachers plant around 500 fruit-bearing and flowering saplings at Laatbai, Madditolop, with the aim of enriching the local ecosystem and promoting environmental sustainability.
Addressing participants, Comunidade of Loliem-Polem President Vishwajit Varik said the initiative was aimed at protecting the environment and strengthening local biodiversity.
“Protecting Mother Earth is our shared civic duty. By introducing 500 fruit and flower plants into our local landscape, we are not just planting trees but creating a habitat for birds, insects and future generations,” he said.
Administrator of Comunidades, South Zone, Deepak P. Vaingankar lauded the plantation drive and described it as a significant contribution towards ecological restoration and environmental conservation.
Among those present were Comunidade Attorney Bhushan P. Gaonkar, Treasurer Madhav Shastri, APRUP MPACS President Eknath Prabhu Gaonkar, Forest Department Range Officers Ashveta Dessai and Navnath Gaude of Khotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, S.S. Angle Higher Secondary School Principal Hemant Kamat, PTA Secretary Trupti Azgaonkar and PTA Chairperson Kalpita Naik.
Organisers said the plantation drive reflects a collective commitment towards creating a greener and more sustainable future through active community participation and environmental stewardship.
