GOA STATE BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AWARDS 2024 ANNOUNCED

Panaji, April 19, 2025

Goa State Biodiversity Board has announced the Goa State Biodiversity Conservation Awards for the Year 2024 in appreciation of exemplary contribution in the field of conservation of biodiversity, ecology and environment.

This year the awards are conferred in five categories namely awards for best Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) Category, one each from North and South Goa, with a prize amount of Rs. 50,000/-, the Individual Category with prize amount of Rs. 25,000/-, for one individual each from North and South Goa, the Biodiversity Enthusiast Category with prize amount of Rs. 15,000/-, for one individual each from North and South Goa, Applied Biodiversity Researcher Category with prize amount of Rs. 25,000/- for one individual from the State and Green Journalism Category with prize amount of Rs. 25,000/- for one individual from the State of Goa. In addition, special appreciation prizes with a prize amount of Rs. 10,000/- each are also declared for 3 BMCs from South Goa in BMC Category, 4 individuals in individual category, 6 in Biodiversity Enthusiast category, 3 individuals in Applied Biodiversity Researcher category and 3 in Green Journalism Category.

The following is the list of awardees:

The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) of Piligao has been awarded the Biodiversity Management Committee Award in recognition of its exceptional efforts in promoting conservation, community participation, and sustainable development. Under the leadership of Chairman Jayesh Valavalkar, Piligao BMC has undertaken numerous impactful initiatives.

The Bandora Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) has been awarded under the BMC Category for its exemplary work in biodiversity documentation, conservation, and community engagement.

The Appreciation (BMC Category) is awarded to Chandor BMC, Cavelossim BMC and Verna BMC from South Goa for their contribution towards biodiversity conservation activities, preparation of PBR and other initiatives.

Shri. Vitthal Anant Joshi(North Goa), a retired Deputy Director of Agriculture from North Goa, has been honored with the Individual Biodiversity Award for his outstanding efforts in conserving and promoting stingless honey bees (SHB) in Goa.

Shri. Dattarm Gopal Sardessai (South Goa), a retired government employee and passionate fruit farmer, has been honoured with the individual biodiversity award for his outstanding efforts in agrobiodiversity conservation.

Appreciation (In Individual Category) is awarded to Shri. Anand Melekar- Traditional Knowledge holder in Honey Bees (North Goa) and Smt. Lilavati Usgaonkar – traditional healer, Shri. Navo Pavano in forestry and Fr. Cyriac James (South Goa) for their contribution in the field of Environment, Biodiversity or its traditional knowledge.

Shri. Kamlakant Savlo Tari, a retired Planning Assistant from the Town and Country Planning Department, presently President of Gomantak Gausevak Mahasangh, has been awarded the Biodiversity Enthusiasts Award for his pioneering work in animal welfare and sustainable agriculture in Goa.

Shri. Devesh Naik (South Goa), currently working at Goa Medical College, has been awarded the Biodiversity Enthusiasts Award for his outstanding efforts in assisting Microbial Consultant of GSBB in documenting wild mushrooms across Goa.

Appreciation in Enthusiast Category is awarded to Shri. Jaheer Karmali and Shri. Domingos Arcadio Fernandes (North Goa) and Shri. Rajendra Velip, Shri. Roy Barreto, Shri. Nester Fernandes and Shri. Pio Praxedes Julio Quadros (South Goa) for their contribution in the field of biodiversity conservation.

Dr. Sreekanth G.B, a leading fisheries scientist at ICAR-CCARI, Goa, has been awarded the Applied Biodiversity Researcher Award for his outstanding contributions to aquatic biodiversity conservation, research, and community engagement in Goa.

Appreciation in Applied Biodiversity Researcher Category– is also awarded to Shri. Gopinath Vishnu Gawas, Shri. Mangirish Dharwadkar and Shri. Rahul Kulkarni for their contribution towards applied biodiversity research, natural farming, forestry and conservation initiatives.

Shri. Ganesh Shankar Shetkar, a veteran photojournalist with over 19 years of experience, has been awarded the Green Journalist Award for his impactful environmental journalism and dedication to biodiversity awareness in Goa.

Appreciation in Green Journalist Category is awarded to Shri. Wahab Khan, Smt. Aarti Das and Shri. Subhash Mahale for their vast experience of reporting, writing on biodiversity and other related fields.

Special Appreciation (Certificates, Memento, Cash Prize 5000/) are awarded to the following local body Secretaries officiating as BMC Secretaries or Chairpersons or active Members for their noteworthy work in facilitating the BMC functioning. – Shri.Nitin Sawant (Secretary, Neura BMC), Smt.Ankita Dessai (Secretary,Curtorim BMC), Smt.Priya Almeida (Chairperson, Navelim BMC), Shri.Vinay Tubki(Chairperson, Shristhal BMC), Shri.Nanda Majik (Chairperson, Keri Sattari BMC), Shri.Eusebio Braganza (Secretary,Raia BMC), Shri.Mahesh Vaigankar (Chairperson, Harmal BMC), Shri.Alvito D’Silva(Chairperson, Pomburpa BMC), Shri.Naresh Shigaonkar (Member, Collem BMC), Shri.Yogiraj Gosavi(Ponda Municipal Council), Smt.Shitiza Naik (Secretary, Molcornem BMC), Shri.Devidas Velip (Chairperson, Barcem Quedem BMC).

Special Recognition for Goa State Biodiversity Conservation Awards 2024 (Certificates and Memento) for contribution in the field of Biodiversity will be awarded to Shri. Deepak Parab, Shri. Sakharam Parab, Shri. Vijayanti Prabhugaonkar, Adv. Shashikant Naik.

The date for the award presentation program will be declared at a later date.

DI/NB/AXP/CR/SP/2025/100