Panaji: October 10, 2014 …. Minister for Forest and Environment, Smt. Alina Saldanha asserted that Goa has an area of 755 sq. kms. of land constituted as wild life protected in the form of national parks and sanctuaries which provides a safe heaven to wild life.
Smt. Saldanha was speaking at the Valedictory function of Wild Life Awareness Campaign organized by the Department of Forest held in the city today.
Smt. Saldanha asserted that the State of Goa occupies a significant place in the Western Ghat, which is renowned over the world as the mega bio-diversity hotspot.
Speaking further, Smt. Saldanha said this bio-diversity which includes flora & fauna holds life on earth together. Every plant on land and microscopic plant in the ocean provide the required oxygen that we breathe. The situation would have been far worse if the plants and the ocean had not to absorb much of the carbon dioxide we leave in the atmosphere, she added.
The objective of this awareness programmes is to create awareness and appreciate the importance of wild, flora and fauna she said and pointed that it is bounded duty of every citizen to allow continuity of life through responsible action.
Shri R. K. Srivastava, Acting Chief Secretary & Principal Secretary(Forest) said concise and collective efforts are needed to safeguard the environment and wild life. He impressed upon the likeminded people like the NGO’s and environmentalists to supplement the efforts of government to achieve this goal.
He said such awareness programmes never see an end but should be an ongoing process compacted with sustain efforts so as to save the pristine areas of western ghat for posterity of the coming generation.
Bio-Diversity in Goa – a concise filed Guide and Goa Forest Newsletter was also released on the occasion at the hands of Smt. Alina Saldanha, Minister for Forest & Environment.
‘Prani Mitra’ award consisting of certificate and Rs. 5000/- was also conferred upon Shri Edward Rodricks, Shri Xavier Peter D’Souza and Damodar Polaji for their efforts to rescue wild life & conservation.
Awards to winners of various competitions like elocution, quiz, photography and drawing competitions held during the week long Wild Life Awareness Campaign were also handed over to its respective winners at the hands of the dignitaries.
Shri D.F.N. Carvalho, DCF welcomed while Shri Sanjay Waradkar, DCF proposed the vote of thanks.
