Tag: Vishwajit Rane

Human Interest

Frazella De Araujo Appointed Advisor to Goa Forest Department

Tanisha Cardozo

The Goa government has appointed Frazella De Araujo as the Advisor to the Forest Department. The announcement was made by State Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane, who said Araujo’s appointment will further strengthen the department’s work in policy formulation and strategic planning.

This new role adds to her existing responsibilities as Advisor to the Health Department and the Women & Child Development Department, both of which are also under Minister Rane’s purview.

Acknowledging her contributions, Rane highlighted Araujo’s pivotal role in conceptualising the state’s Health Outreach Program and in driving the historic IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) initiative at Goa Medical College and Hospital. These projects, he said, reflect her innovative and people-centric approach to governance.

Rane expressed confidence that Araujo’s experience and commitment will greatly benefit the Forest Department in enhancing its initiatives and ensuring more effective policy outcomes.

Frazella De Araujo’s appointment underscores the Goa government’s continued emphasis on multidisciplinary leadership and coordinated efforts across departments to deliver impactful governance.

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.

EduConnect

Parul University to Inaugurate New High-Tech Campus in Goa on September 18

Tanisha Cardozo

Parul University is set to mark a major milestone in Goa’s higher education landscape with the inauguration of its new campus near ONGC Betul in Quepem on September 18. The campus represents a significant step in making quality, industry-relevant education more accessible to Goan students, offering a broad range of modern and technical courses including physiotherapy, health sciences, pharmacy, and more.

Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant will officially inaugurate the campus, while Health Minister Vishwajit Rane will preside over the student oath-taking ceremony. The inauguration event is scheduled to be held at 10 am at the Kala Academy auditorium in Panaji, in the presence of dignitaries, university officials, faculty, and students.

Parul University has emphasized that the Goa campus is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and aims to create a strong academic ecosystem rooted in innovation and industry engagement. The university’s expansion into Goa is part of a broader commitment to bridging the educational gap and ensuring that students do not need to leave the state to access world-class learning opportunities.

As the state continues to invest in education and infrastructure, the arrival of Parul University’s Goa campus adds to the growing momentum of institutions that are helping shape the future of youth in the region.

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.

Health

Goa Makes Healthcare History with India’s First Pricing Policy for Innovative Lifesaving Therapies

allycaralgoa

Goa has set a new benchmark in healthcare innovation with the launch of the Pricing Policy for Innovative Lifesaving Therapies (PPILT) — a first-of-its-kind initiative in India.

The policy was officially launched by Health Minister Shri. Vishwajit Rane in the presence of:

  • Shri. Arun Kumar Mishra, IAS, Secretary (Health)
  • Mr. Prashant Warier, CEO & Founder, Qure.ai
  • Dr. Jai Prakash Tiwari, Dean, GMC
  • Dr. Rupa Naik, Director, Directorate of Health Services
  • Dr. Ajaykumar Sharma, Director – Corporate & State Affairs, AstraZeneca
  • Kiran Kesavan, Lead – Policy and Government Affairs

The PPILT aims to ensure equitable, fair, and sustainable pricing for vital healthcare interventions — including medicines, diagnostics, and advanced medical devices — making them more accessible to patients without compromising innovation.

Minister Rane emphasized that the initiative would bridge the gap between affordability and advanced treatment, setting a national precedent in healthcare reform.

This pioneering policy reflects Goa’s commitment to patient-centric healthcare and positions the state as a leader in shaping transparent, sustainable medical pricing in India.