- 31 July, 2025
Goa, July 30, 2025 — In a vibrant show of community-driven conservation, St. Joseph Vaz College, Cortalim, in collaboration with One Earth Foundation, Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC), Goencho Ekvott, and Nisarga Nature Club, held a mangrove plantation drive titled “Come Let's Man-Groove” at the Cortalim causeway along the Vasco highway. The event took place on 27 July, following the World Day for Mangrove Conservation on 26 July, and was supported by the Diocesan Commission for Ecology and the Biodiversity Management Committee of VP Sancoale.
A Movement for Resilience
Led by the Department of Botany under Fr. Bolmax Pereira, the initiative has grown steadily over four years. Orville Dourado Rodrigues, founder of Goencho Ekvott, reflected, “Goencho Ekvott has associated with the sincere efforts of St Joseph Vaz College under Fr. Bolmax and his team. This pioneering movement often involves taking calculated risks, planting saplings in waist-deep sediment-heavy water. But it’s a very important exercise that protects our coastlines and acts as powerful carbon sinks.”
He added that seeing past saplings now grow as “strong and sturdy sentinels of the coastline” was a sign of long-term success and called the initiative “an investment for a sustainable future.”
On the Ground with the Green Team
Architect Tallulah D’Silva, a longtime volunteer, shared, “We joined the super team with St Joseph Vaz College, planting mangrove seedlings along the Cortalim causeway. It’s such a beautiful experience to restore Goa’s riverine edges—our safeguard against climate change.” She added, “This is the fourth year of the initiative, and like a family we come together. It was heartening to see all the volunteers wade deep into debris-filled embankments despite the rising tidal waters.”
The preparation began on Saturday with sapling collection from Divar Island. A parent and their four-year-old daughter joined the boat ride along the Mandovi River to collect Kandelia candel saplings, while CYFC members collected nearly 300 Rhizophora mucronata and Bruguiera cylindrica propagules from the Zuari River.
First-Time Joy and Youth Energy
Architect and permaculturist Ahaana Rao, participating for the first time, said, “I’ve always wanted to learn about the role of mangroves in coastal resilience. Today, I finally got to plant them! We collected saplings, interacted with locals, and planted over 500. It’s a brilliant initiative that lets people reconnect with nature and work alongside experts.”
CYFC Treasurer Alisha Pereira added, “We are very grateful to St. Joseph Vaz College for this opportunity. It gave us a chance to work hands-on and understand how mangroves protect our ecosystem, especially in the face of climate change.”
St. Joseph Vaz College General Secretary Varad Parob echoed this sentiment: “Thank you to all the dedicated volunteers. It was great to be part of something so significant. I hope this initiative keeps growing—it truly makes a difference.”
Ferdin Sylvestre from One Earth Foundation reminded everyone, “Mangroves are the first line of defence against climate change—cyclones, storm surges, sea-level rise, and erosion. We must protect them so they can protect us.”
Cyclists Join the Cause
The Frosty Blends Cycling Club unexpectedly joined the drive during their Sunday ride. Hamid Khan, a student from Regina Mundi School, said, “We were riding when we saw people planting mangroves. Our mentor Sir Asif encouraged us to join—and we did. It was a unique experience—stepping into mud, planting saplings, and learning how they protect marine life.”
Mentor Asif Hussein shared, “It was a great learning experience for the teens. We’d love to join similar efforts in the future.” One young cyclist, Isa, said, “Every time I pass this way, I’ll remember I was part of this mangrove team.”
Sustaining the Mission
Fr. Bolmax Pereira, who coordinated the drive, appreciated the efforts of every volunteer and group involved. He said the “Come Let's Man-Groove” initiative continues to demonstrate how collective action can preserve Goa’s vital ecosystems—and promised the planting would go on.
By Varad Parob
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