Panaji, January 2026: The 118th Board Meeting of the Goa Forest Development Corporation (GFDC) was chaired by Dr. Deviya Rane, in the presence of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) Kamal Datta, Managing Director GFDC K. Ramesh Kumar, General Manager GFDC Amar Heblekar, along with other members of the Board.
The meeting included detailed deliberations on the successful conduct of the recently held Goa Forest Diversity Festival 2026, whose wide impact and outreach resonated across the State of Goa. Members reviewed the outcomes of the festival and discussed strategies to further build on its success in promoting forest conservation, biodiversity awareness and public engagement.
Key discussions also focused on strengthening and upgrading infrastructure at GFDC’s cashew plantations and ecotourism sites. Emphasis was laid on enhancing visitor facilities and activities, while exploring new avenues to expand sustainable ecotourism initiatives across the state.
Additionally, the Board deliberated on the rejuvenation of rubber plantations, with the objective of improving productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability. These initiatives are expected to contribute to enhanced livelihoods while maintaining ecological balance.
The discussions reflected GFDC’s continued commitment to conservation-driven development, livelihood generation and responsible eco-tourism, aligned with Goa’s broader vision of sustainable and environmentally conscious growth.
Uttar Pradesh is set to open its first-ever glass skywalk bridge at the scenic Tulsi Waterfall in Chitrakoot, a Rs 3.70-crore marvel that fuses modern engineering with timeless spirituality. Shaped like Lord Ram’s bow and arrow, the structure symbolizes strength, precision, and divinity while offering visitors a thrilling and immersive experience above one of Bundelkhand’s most serene landscapes.
The skywalk, made from a fusion of glass and steel, stands as both a tribute to the region’s mythological legacy and a bold step in eco-tourism development. Officials from the Chitrakoot district administration have confirmed that the bridge was inspired by Bihar’s Rajgir Glass Bridge but features a unique design tailored to the cultural ethos of Chitrakoot — the land where Lord Ram, Sita, and Lakshman are believed to have spent years during their exile.
“This bridge is a blend of spirituality and modern architecture,” said a senior official from the Forest and Tourism Department. “Our goal is to develop Chitrakoot as a model for faith-based eco-tourism, allowing visitors to experience both natural beauty and cultural heritage.”
The transparent glass panels of the bridge offer a 360-degree view of the three-tiered Tulsi Waterfall — once known as Shabari Waterfall — which was renamed to honour Goswami Tulsidas, the saint-poet who composed the Ramcharitmanas and was born nearby in Rajapur. The area surrounding the waterfall has been transformed into Kodand Van, an eco-park named after Lord Ram’s bow, featuring walking trails, viewing decks, and meditation zones.
Chitrakoot Divisional Forest Officer S.K. Chaudhary described the experience as both thrilling and tranquil. “Standing on the glass deck, visitors will feel as if they are floating above the waterfall. It’s an unmatched experience of peace and exhilaration,” he said.
Constructed by Ghazipur-based Pawan Sut Construction Company, the bridge extends 25 metres into the gorge and spans 35 metres between its two pillars. It has been engineered to withstand a load of up to 500 kg per square metre, ensuring maximum safety even during peak tourist hours. Reinforced steel frames and multi-layered laminated glass panels have been used to ensure durability against environmental and temperature challenges.
“Safety has been our top priority,” said project engineer Pramod Mishra. “Each component has been tested to international standards. The structure is designed to be both aesthetically striking and sustainable in an eco-sensitive area.”
The glass bridge is part of a wider effort by the Uttar Pradesh government to promote sustainable tourism in Bundelkhand. Additional amenities, including a herbal garden, open-air park, and food court, are being developed near the waterfall to enhance the visitor experience while maintaining ecological balance. The project also integrates local communities by generating employment opportunities for guides, artisans, and small business owners.
Authorities are implementing eco-friendly measures such as solar-powered lighting, controlled vehicle access, and comprehensive waste management to ensure the site remains environmentally responsible. “Our approach is to balance development with conservation,” DFO Chaudhary emphasized.
The bridge is expected to be inaugurated soon after the Lok Sabha elections and is already being hailed as a future landmark for Uttar Pradesh. Once open, it is expected to attract both domestic and international tourists, boosting faith-based and adventure tourism in the region.
Tourism officials are planning a series of cultural festivals, eco-camps, and local food fairs to establish Chitrakoot as a year-round destination. “This project will put Chitrakoot firmly on the national tourism map,” said an official from the tourism department.
For centuries, Chitrakoot has been celebrated as the confluence of devotion and nature — a sacred land immortalized in scriptures and songs. With the unveiling of the glass skywalk, the district now embraces a new identity: a place where heritage meets innovation. The shimmering bridge above the Tulsi Waterfall stands as a symbol of Uttar Pradesh’s evolving vision — a state that honours its sacred past while stepping confidently into the future.
Valpoi, Goa – August 3, 2025: In a heartfelt and energizing celebration of Friendship Day, the Prerana Foundation and Progressive Front of Goa brought together nature lovers, youth, and senior citizens for a memorable trek to Shivling Waterfall in the ecologically rich Mhadei region of Valpoi.
Starting from Pal Village, the trek was led by local expert Shri Vithat Shelke of Keri, Sattari. With his guidance, the group explored not only the forest trail but also the rich biodiversity and the ecological challenges faced by the Mhadei sanctuary.
The event drew 53 participants from across Goa—from Canacona in the south to Mapusa in the north—ranging in age from 10 to 66 years. This diversity made the event a truly inclusive intergenerational experience, with stories, songs, and shared laughter along the trail.
At the heart of the journey lay the Shivling Waterfall, a serene and powerful cascade nestled deep within the forest. Here, participants cooled off, clicked group photos, shared meals, and reflected on the beauty and fragility of Goa’s natural landscapes.
More than just a trek, the initiative was a celebration of connection—with friends, with nature, and with the values of sustainability. It emphasized the importance of outdoor engagement and environmental consciousness in today’s fast-paced digital world.
By organizing this event on Friendship Day, the Prerana Foundation and Progressive Front of Goa successfully reminded all that friendship is not just with people—it can also be with the planet.
Sindhudurg, July 25, 2025 — In a landmark moment for adventure tourism in the state, Maharashtra has unveiled its first-ever glass skywalk, spectacularly poised over the Napne Waterfall in the lush Sindhudurg district.
Suspended over one of the most pristine waterfalls of the Western Ghats, this transparent walkway offers uninterrupted panoramic views of dense forests, plunging cascades, and deep ravines. The project has been hailed as a blend of thrill, sustainability, and local tourism development.
Fully transparent tempered glass platform offering a floating experience
Eco-sensitive construction with minimal disruption to the natural habitat
Designed to promote local tourism and boost the rural economy
🗺️ About Napne Waterfall
Located near Vaibhavwadi, Napne Waterfall is one of the most scenic and less-explored waterfalls in the Konkan belt, known for its natural charm, birdlife, and lush forest cover.
“The skywalk is not just about thrill — it’s a window into the region’s untouched beauty,” said an official from Maharashtra Tourism.
The initiative is part of Maharashtra’s larger plan to position Sindhudurg as a premier eco-tourism hub, along with scuba diving at Tarkarli, heritage homestays, and biodiversity trails.
📍Location: Napne Waterfall, Sindhudurg, Maharashtra 🕒 Open to Visitors: From July 26, 2025 🎫 Entry: Nominal fee (to be announced locally)
📖 Stay tuned to Allycaral.com for travel guides, on-ground photo features, and booking info for your next eco-adventure!
Panaji, June 2025 – Embankments along the national highway in Mollem, home to a rare tarantula species, were wiped away due to road widening projects and heightened the risk of local extinction, according to Prof. Manoj Ramakant Borkar, who at a recent MOG Sunday talk at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne, stressed that development goes hand in hand with ecology. These tarantulas and other arachnids, Borkar said, are dependent on specific microhabitats and microclimatic regimes, which cannot be replicated beyond the mounds and burrows of the embankment.
In his talk titled ‘Whip Spiders, Whip Scorpions & Tarantulas: The ‘Not-So-Charismatic’ Wildlife of Goa,’ Borkar emphasised that tarantulas have restricted and limited dispersal and that whip spiders and whip scorpions remain largely unaccounted for by major conservation frameworks.
“They have not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, nor are they included under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act schedules,” says Borkar, head of the Department of Zoology, Carmel College for Women, South Goa and founder of the Biodiversity Research Cell.
The talk included detailed insights into the anatomy and traits of these species. The whip scorpion, also known as a vinegaroon, is named after its defence mechanism, in which the creature lifts its whip and sprays a vinegar-smelling substance on the provoker. Another unique feature of the tarantulas, according to Borkar, is their behaviour of layering their burrow with their webs, whether it is a pipe or a crevice in a tree.
Drawing from ongoing fieldwork, Borkar revealed the elaborate mating behaviour of whip spiders in which the smaller male takes the lead. “We have established a new hypothesis, where the prey drive is overridden by mating priorities,” he said.
He believes Goans are extremely eco-conscious and eco-sensitive, but not always vocal. Those who speak up are silenced with incentives. “All those who speak for the environment are not anti-development. They’re only insisting on sustainable development. You just cannot replace the earth’s capital with manufactured capital,” he said.
The talk touched on the role of ecotourism and its potential impact on Goa’s ecology. While it has the potential to raise awareness, Borkar warned that its focus has often shifted toward recreation and commercial gain. “We need to be ethical in our approach to tourism. Without strong environmental regulation, there can be no sustainability,” he said.
