WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY TO MARK THE LAUNCH OF GOA’S AMBITIOUS GREEN NH66 MISSION
Panaji: June 04, 2026
Continuing its commitment towards environmental conservation and sustainable development, the Government of Goa will launch the Green NH66 Mission on World Environment Day, June 5, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., opposite KTCL Bus Stand, Panaji. Aligned with the nationwide ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, the initiative aims to transform approximately 70 kilometres of NH66, stretching from Patradevi in North Goa to Galgibag in South Goa, into a Green Corridor through large-scale plantation activities along highway medians and roadside avenues. The official launch will be undertaken by Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant.
Implemented in a phased manner across 10 identified locations, the mission seeks to enhance the visual appeal of Goa’s highway network while contributing towards environmental sustainability, climate action, carbon sequestration, soil stabilisation, and reduction of vehicle headlight glare. The initiative reflects a broader vision of creating greener public spaces and strengthening ecological resilience across the State.
The campaign brings together multiple Government departments, institutions, volunteers, and local stakeholders under a unified effort. The Forest Department will provide 1,000 saplings at each plantation site and 2,000 saplings at the Panaji launch location, while the Education Department and Directorate of Higher Education will mobilise volunteers to support plantation activities. The Agriculture Department, Goa Waste Management Corporation, Home Department, Goa State Biodiversity Board, and other departments will contribute through plantation support, awareness initiatives, cleanliness drives, traffic management, security arrangements, and water supply for the saplings.
The World Environment Day programme will also feature the release of the GSPCB Annual Report 2025–26, exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB), Goa Waste Management Corporation (GWMC) and Cacora Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI) for implementation of the dual system of training for waste management technician trade. The event will further include prize distribution for poster competitions, environmental quiz competitions, recognition of environmental best practices by industries and departments, presentation of GSBB awards, and felicitation of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) for GreenCo Rating Certifications.
More than a plantation drive, the Green NH66 Mission represents an integrated effort to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Goa. By combining coordinated action with community participation, the initiative aims to create long-term environmental benefits while reinforcing the shared responsibility of protecting and preserving Goa’s natural heritage for future generations.
The programme will be attended by Shri Shripad Naik, Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, Shri Digambar Kamat, Minister for Public Works, Captain of Ports and Legal Metrology; Dr. Levinson J. Martins, IAS, Chairman, Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB); Dr. Geeta S. Nagvenkar, Member Secretary, GSPCB; Shri Sachin S. Desai, Director, Environment & Climate Change.
DI/NB/KM/SGN/SF/KS/2026/266