Tag: Goa Forest Department

Travel

Goa to Spotlight Culture, Wellness & Sustainability at ITB Asia 2025

Tanisha Cardozo

Goa, October 2025 – The Department of Tourism, Government of Goa, will participate in ITB Asia 2025, Asia’s leading B2B travel trade show, taking place from 15–17 October 2025 at Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. This strategic participation underlines Goa’s commitment to promoting itself as a destination that offers more than leisure — focusing on authentic, meaningful, and sustainable travel experiences.

At the global event, Goa Tourism will unveil its evolving tourism model that prioritizes cultural richness, spiritual depth, ecological responsibility, and community empowerment. Key offerings at the Goa Pavilion will include immersive experiences in spiritual tourism circuits, heritage trails showcasing Indo-Portuguese architecture and living traditions, and wellness tourism rooted in yoga and holistic healing.

Joining the tourism delegation, the Goa Forest Department will present Goa’s exceptional natural wealth — including wildlife sanctuaries, biodiversity hotspots, and nature-based experiences like immersive zoos and conservation-led ecotourism. The aim is to position Goa not just as a destination, but as an ecosystem where nature, culture, and community harmoniously coexist.

The pavilion will also spotlight festivals, rural tourism initiatives, and projects that directly engage local communities and support environmental preservation. These are designed to align with Goa’s broader vision of regenerative tourism — where tourism contributes positively to the places and people it touches.

Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, noted that Goa is entering a new chapter in its tourism story. “At ITB Asia 2025, we aim to build meaningful global partnerships and showcase Goa as a forward-thinking destination with upgraded infrastructure, safer travel environments, and diverse experiences rooted in our identity,” he said.

Echoing the sentiment, Director of Tourism, Shri Kedar Naik, emphasized the value of connecting with a global audience: “Our presence at ITB Asia is about presenting Goa as a place where heritage, nature, and community come together to create enriching journeys.”

Goa’s participation at ITB Asia 2025 is not just promotional — it’s transformational. It marks the state’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships, access new markets, and showcase a tourism model that is future-ready, inclusive, and globally relevant. From local culture to conservation, the Goa Pavilion will offer a complete picture of what responsible and regenerative travel can look like in one of India’s most beloved destinations.

Human Interest

Karnataka Tells Goa It Will Take Elephant Omkar Only After Dussehra

Closed Account

Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

A wild elephant named Omkar has become the center of a growing human-wildlife conflict in Goa, as he continues to damage farmland in the Tambos area of Pernem for three consecutive days. The Goa forest department has struggled to control the situation, drawing strong reactions from local farmers who are demanding immediate and high-level intervention.

In response, Goa Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane held a joint meeting with Karnataka Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre to seek a long-term and humane resolution. The discussion focused on the possibility of relocating Omkar to a rehabilitation camp in Karnataka where the elephant can receive proper care in a controlled environment. However, Karnataka has informed Goa that they will be able to take in Omkar only after Dussehra, due to logistical and festival-related constraints.

Rane emphasized the urgency of the issue, noting that Omkar is not just a threat to crops but a potential risk to human safety. “The immediate issue before us is Omkar, the elephant who moved into Goa from Maharashtra and has been destroying crops. As part of the deliberations, we requested that Omkar be rehabilitated at the Karnataka camp, where he can be given the care and environment he requires,” he said.

Khandre confirmed Karnataka’s support but clarified that the relocation will be possible only after the Dussehra festivities conclude. Meanwhile, both ministers have also proposed a broader strategy to address such conflicts in a sustainable way. A tripartite agreement between Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka is in the works. This agreement aims to build inter-state coordination, enhance response capabilities, and implement collective wildlife management strategies.

This move is being seen as a significant step in addressing the rising number of human-elephant conflicts, particularly in the western and southern states of India, where forest corridors overlap with agricultural and residential zones.

While immediate relief for the farmers in Tambos is still awaited, the discussions signal a hopeful shift towards regional collaboration in wildlife conservation and conflict resolution.

Human Interest

Goa Launches Whale Shark Conservation Project with ₹75,000 Rescue Reward

allycaralgoa

On the occasion of International Whale Shark Day, Goa’s Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane announced the launch of the Whale Shark Conservation Project along the state’s coast. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of India, Goa Forest Department, Department of Fisheries, and Oracle India, with the goal of protecting the gentle giants of the ocean and other marine species.

One of the most notable features of the project is the introduction of a ₹75,000 reward scheme for fishermen and individuals who rescue and release Whale Sharks and other species protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This incentive is designed to encourage the fishing community to play an active role in conservation.

Minister Rane emphasized the importance of Goa’s fishing community in safeguarding marine biodiversity, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to sustainable practices. “The fishermen community of Goa is our greatest strength,” he said, “and with their collaboration, Goa will continue to lead the way in protecting marine life.”

Prominent conservationist Francis Fernandes (Pele), who has played a key role in past marine protection initiatives, will continue to guide and educate the fishing community under this project.

To ensure the long-term success of this mission, the government has also announced the formation of a Marine Life Protection Committee. The committee will be chaired by Prof. B.C. Choudhury and will include experts such as Vivek Menon, Praveen Kumar Raghaw, Shamila Monteiro, Francis Fernandes (Pele), and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane himself. The committee will be tasked with taking key policy decisions and guiding future conservation efforts.

With this initiative, Goa has once again demonstrated its resolve to safeguard its rich marine biodiversity, ensuring that future generations inherit thriving oceans and coasts.

Social

Goa Celebrates Vanamahotsava 2025 with Tree Plantation and Wildlife Rescue Initiatives at GHS Savarde, Sattari

allycaralgoa

In a vibrant celebration of nature and conservation, the Forest Department and Directorate of Education, Goa, observed Vanamahotsava 2025 at Government High School, Savarde, in Sattari on 14th July.

Hon’ble Forest Minister Shri Vishwajit P. Rane presided over the event and emphasized the importance of preserving Goa’s biodiversity. As part of the initiative, he participated in the ceremonial planting of fruiting trees, promoting the need to integrate eco-friendly habits in educational spaces.

A key highlight of the event was the flagging off of the Seedling Distribution Van and Wildlife Rescue Van, symbolizing the state’s commitment to conservation and proactive environmental education. These vans will play a crucial role in spreading green cover across Goa and responding to animal rescue calls.

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, teachers, forest officials, and community members who pledged to protect and nurture nature. With a clear focus on instilling environmental values from a young age, Vanamahotsava 2025 became a memorable milestone for the school and the region.

The celebration not only promoted greenery but also sowed seeds of awareness and responsibility in the hearts of Goa’s future generations.