Tag: Environmental Awareness

Social

JCI Mapusa Leads Cleanup Drive at Shree Bodgeshwar Temple Ground

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

JCI Mapusa, in collaboration with the Mapusa Municipal Council, Responsible Earth Foundation and YIMBY, organised a cleanup drive on January 16, 2026, at the Shree Bodgeshwar Temple Ground in Mapusa. The initiative began early at 7 am and aimed at promoting cleanliness, environmental responsibility and community participation.

A total of 20 members actively took part in the drive, demonstrating strong volunteer spirit and civic engagement. During the cleanup activity, more than 20 bags of dry waste were collected from the area, contributing to a cleaner and safer public space for residents and visitors.

The drive formed part of JCI Mapusa’s ongoing efforts to encourage sustainable practices and raise awareness about waste management at the grassroots level. Volunteers worked together to segregate and collect dry waste, reinforcing the message that collective action plays a vital role in protecting the environment.

Organisers expressed satisfaction with the enthusiastic participation and support received from all collaborating organisations. The cleanup drive not only helped restore cleanliness at the temple ground but also served as a reminder of the shared responsibility citizens have towards maintaining public spaces and safeguarding the environment.

Events in Goa

Green Glow Environmental Festival: Alexyz Fernandes to Receive Maria Claudete Pinto Memorial Green Commitment Award

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Environmentalist and cartoonist Alexyz Fernandes will be conferred the first Maria Claudete Pinto Memorial Green Commitment Award at the Green Glow Environmental Festival to be held in Panaji on Saturday, January 10, 2026. The award recognises his sustained contribution to environmental awareness through cartoon-art, journalism, and innovative initiatives such as the annual Plant Exhibition at Siolim.

The one-day environmental festival is being organised by the Green Ray Foundation in association with the Goa State Biodiversity Board and the Department of Art and Culture, Government of Goa. The event aims to create a vibrant platform for dialogue, learning, and creative engagement around environmental issues.

As part of the festival, Suhas Premkumar’s award-winning film Little Planet: A Tale of Frogs will be screened alongside journalist-filmmaker Arti Kulkarni’s documentary on Olive Ridley turtles, Turtles with Antenna. The programme also includes a mobile video-editing workshop conducted by journalist Niraj Prabhu, green skilling sessions, and an exhibition featuring climate change posters and wallpapers prepared by Eco Clubs from schools across Goa.

Additional activities planned for the day include training in video-editing skills, prize distribution for the EcoStar competition, and interactive workshops aimed at encouraging environmental responsibility among young participants. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr Pradeep Sarmokkadam, Member Secretary of the Goa State Biodiversity Board.

Details of the festival were shared at a press conference addressed by Green Ray Foundation’s managing trustee Tomazinho Cardozo, along with trustees Pravin Sabnis and Willy Goes. They highlighted that the festival is designed to be inclusive and accessible, bringing together students, teachers, researchers, journalists, filmmakers, and environmentally conscious citizens.

The Green Glow Environmental Festival is free and open to all. Interested participants are requested to send their names via WhatsApp to 9822137958, 9822170102, or 9422640141.

The Green Ray Foundation was established in 1990 by the late Maria Claudete Pinto, a committed environmentalist who envisioned empowering students with values of environmental preservation and guiding society towards sustainable, eco-friendly living. The festival and the newly instituted memorial award continue to carry forward her legacy of grassroots environmental action and education.

Human Interest

Jonty Rhodes Compares Delhi’s Toxic Air to Goa’s Clean Breeze: “Hardto Digest”

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

South African cricketing legend Jonty Rhodes has raised alarm over Delhi’s worsening air pollution, calling it “hard to digest” and comparing it with the clean, refreshing air of Goa. Passing through Delhi en route via Ranchi, Rhodes took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude for living in a small fishing village in South Goa, far from the choking smog engulfing the national capital.

Rhodes’ post came as Delhi recorded its worst air quality levels of the year, with thick smog blanketing the city and pollution levels reaching “severe” on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Using the hashtags #AQI and #whats2Bdone, the former South African cricketer drew attention to the growing environmental crisis and urged awareness about India’s air quality challenges.

Alongside his message, Rhodes shared a photo of his children playing football on a Goan beach — a moment of joy that highlighted the contrast between Goa’s open, breathable environment and Delhi’s hazardous conditions. “If this was in Delhi, they’d probably be playing indoors,” he suggested, pointing to the alarming difference in lifestyle caused by pollution.

Known for his association with India through the Indian Premier League and his enduring connection with Goa, Rhodes’ remarks resonated with many online users who echoed his concerns about Delhi’s air and the urgent need for long-term solutions.

As the national capital continues to battle smog and health advisories warn residents to limit outdoor activities, Rhodes’ post serves as both a reminder and a wake-up call — urging reflection on the state of urban air quality and the importance of protecting cleaner, greener spaces like Goa.

Social

Navelim Leads the Way in Sustainability with Successful E-Waste Collection Drive

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

The Lions Club of Navelim marked a significant step toward environmental responsibility with a successful e-waste collection drive held at Rosary Church, Navelim. The initiative, led by MJF Lion Joseph D’Costa, District Coordinator for E-Waste Collection Awareness, received an enthusiastic response from parishioners who turned up in large numbers to deposit their discarded electronic items.

Supported by MJF Lion Trevor Mascarenhas and other dedicated Lions members, the drive aimed to promote responsible disposal and recycling of electronic waste, a growing concern in modern households. The event saw participation and encouragement from prominent Lions officials including District Governor Lion JaiAmol Naik, DCS Lion Kirti Naik, PDG Lion Sasindran Nair, Region Chairperson Lion Dharmu Raut Desai, and Parish Priest Fr. Gabriel Coutinho, who lauded the initiative for its positive environmental impact and community engagement.

The collected e-waste comprised a wide range of items such as computers, printers, TV sets, music systems, mobile phones, and UPS units. All the materials were responsibly handed over to a government-approved waste collection agency for safe and compliant recycling.

The drive not only reduced the local electronic waste burden but also raised awareness about the importance of sustainable waste management and recycling. It reflected the Lions Club’s ongoing commitment to community service and environmental conservation, setting a strong example for other regions in Goa to follow.