Goa Forward Party president and Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai on Thursday welcomed the government’s initiative to plant trees along national highways but urged authorities to ensure that only indigenous Goan species are used.
Marking World Environment Day, Sardesai said the plantation drive was a positive step but warned that highway development often brings environmental challenges including increased pollution, rising temperatures and deteriorating air quality.
“The government has started a good initiative, and I support it. But what happens on highways? Pollution increases, temperatures rise, the air quality index drops. Then people from Delhi come to Goa and dare to make Goa like Delhi,” Sardesai said.
He expressed concern over the use of invasive exotic species in previous plantation efforts and specifically referred to the Austrian Acacia, which he said had been scientifically documented as causing ecological harm.
“Before, the government brought plants that cause cancer. We need to plant trees of Goa, indigenous species that benefit our animals, our environment, and our people,” Sardesai said.
The Fatorda MLA urged the government to focus on cleaner and greener highways through the plantation of native trees that support local biodiversity and ecosystems.
Sardesai also drew attention to the condition of the instant bypass, alleging that parts of the area had become a dumping ground. He appealed to Public Works Department Minister Digambar Kamat to introduce surveillance measures to prevent littering and illegal dumping.
“I ask the minister to provide CCTV monitoring for cleaner and greener highways, because someone needs to keep an eye on it,” he said.
Reiterating his support for the plantation initiative, Sardesai said environmental efforts should strengthen Goa’s natural heritage and identity.
“Let our highways become cleaner and greener, but with trees that belong to Goem, Goemkar, and Goemkarponn,” Sardesai concluded.
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