Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Monday, 29 June 2026 launched a Banyan Tree Plantation Drive at Shri Bhavika Devi Kotareshwar Devasthan, Malar Diwadi, marking the auspicious occasion of Vat Pournima under the state government's Green Goa, Clean Goa initiative. The drive, organised by the Goa State Biodiversity Board, aims to plant one banyan tree in every village across the state, with saplings to be distributed to Village Panchayats.

Context

The launch took place in the presence of MLA Rajesh Faldessai and other dignitaries at the temple premises in Malar Diwadi, Goa. The choice of Vat Pournima — a festival on which women traditionally tie sacred threads around banyan trees — lent cultural and spiritual resonance to the environmental initiative. CM Sawant described the banyan tree as 'sacred to our culture and rich in biodiversity,' calling it a symbol of 'strength, sustainability and environmental balance.'

Policy Backdrop

The Green Goa, Clean Goa initiative is part of the state government's broader environmental agenda aimed at increasing green cover and promoting ecological awareness at the grassroots level. The Goa State Biodiversity Board serves as the nodal agency for biodiversity conservation in the state, and its role in distributing saplings to Village Panchayats anchors this drive within the existing local-governance framework. The campaign also carries the national hashtag #EkPedMaaKeNaam, linking it to the Centre's tree-plantation movement that encourages citizens to plant a tree in their mother's name.

By targeting one banyan tree per village, the drive seeks to create a measurable, verifiable outcome across Goa's panchayat network. The banyan (Ficus benghalensis) is known for its expansive canopy, longevity, and capacity to support diverse ecosystems, making it an ecologically apt choice for a biodiversity-focused programme.

Stakeholders and Impact

CM Sawant's appeal extended to Panchayats, the BMC (Bicholim Municipal Council), citizens, and nature enthusiasts to participate actively in the movement. Village Panchayats are the primary recipients of saplings and will bear responsibility for plantation and upkeep at the local level. If implemented across all of Goa's villages, the drive would result in hundreds of new banyan trees planted in community spaces, temple grounds, and public areas statewide.

The religious framing of the event — held at a temple on Vat Pournima — is likely to encourage community participation beyond the usual environmental-awareness audience, particularly among women who observe the festival. Biodiversity boards across Indian states have increasingly used cultural occasions to mainstream conservation messaging.

What's Next

The Goa State Biodiversity Board is expected to coordinate sapling distribution to Village Panchayats in the coming weeks, with Panchayats responsible for identifying suitable plantation sites. The success of the drive will depend on follow-through at the local-governance level and sustained community engagement beyond the launch event. If the one-tree-per-village target is met, the initiative could serve as a model for culturally anchored conservation drives in other states participating in the #EkPedMaaKeNaam national campaign.