Category: Offbeat

(Panaji, 22nd November 2024):  The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, on Friday, launched IPSCDL’s Tree App at the F. L. Gomes Garden  in Panaji.

The Tree App is a platform designed to engage citizens in the monitoring and nurturing of Panaji’s trees. With its user-friendly interface and data-driven approach, the application aims to bridge the gap between residents and urban forestry management, empowering communities to take active roles in preserving the city’s green infrastructure.

This  major technological initiative  launched today was  part of the Imagine  Panaji’s Urban Tree Management  Workshop which aimed at  boosting Panaji’s tree care with the help of  stakeholders and experts from the State and  across the country.

Today’s mega workshop was organized by the Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd. (IPSCDL), in collaboration with the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP), Tree Care India and the Goa State Bio-diversity Board.

 The day-long event was held at Dr. F. L. Gomes Garden on Dayanand Bandodkar Marg, engaging citizens in hands-on learning to care for Panaji’s urban greenery.

The workshop drew urban planners, environmentalists, and local residents, equipping them with practical skills for tree health assessment, pruning, pest management, and sustainable planting techniques. Experts in arboriculture and urban biodiversity led interactive sessions and live demonstrations, emphasizing the importance of trees in enhancing air quality, reducing urban heat, and supporting biodiversity.

 Mr. Sanjit Rodrigues, CEO & MD, IPSCDL said, “It is an honour and am extremely grateful  to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant for launching IPSCDL’s  Tree App today.  This app devised by IPSCDL and developed by a Goa based start-up  has already tagged  1004 trees  which were recently planted  in Panaji  as part of the Smart  City Mission green initiative.  More trees will be planted in the days and months to come. They will  also be  geo-tagged to facilitate monitoring.   The entire plantation drive  initiative will  help to develop  green tunnel roads in Panaji in the coming years. It also aims to bring down the temperature in Panaji by 2 degrees.   We are leveraging digital tools to make urban tree care accessible and effective for everyone in Panaji.  We are  working with Tree Crae India who will share  their expertise  on tree management and enhance  the bio-diversity of Panaji. Today’s workshop  has engaged   the community  and stakeholders on how to manage urban trees.” 

Mr. Jonas Suchnek, Co-founder and Arborist at Tree Care India, emphasized the importance of equipping citizens with practical knowledge. He stated, “Urban trees are not just greenery—they are vital to the health and resilience of our cities. Workshops like these not only raise awareness but also build the skills necessary to preserve our urban forests for generations to come.”

Mr. Bagirath Prakash (Arborist, Tree Care India) & Mr. Island  Lescure (Managing Director & Consulting Arborist – Treescapes) also made presentations on  tree management in urban landscapes and assessing tree health. This was followed by live demos on  safe tree pruning and climbing  techniques. A demo on parasite removal from trees was also presented to the audience. 

Participants also explored nursery stalls offering saplings and gardening essentials, encouraging direct contributions to the city’s green spaces. The event highlighted IPSCDL’s dedication to community involvement, showcasing how urban forestry initiatives can lead to a greener, healthier Panaji while inspiring collective responsibility for the city’s environment.