David Lobo davidl...@deejayfarm.com Do let me know why this debate regarding the coconut tree rages on. I am an interested person, being involved with coconut farming and breeding. Perhaps I have missed something and need to be enlightened. I believe that the legislation to remove the coconut palm from the list of trees is needed.
These are my reasons. The coconut palm, part of the very spirit of Goa, was classified as a tree some years ago, by the Forest Department, I believe. The millions of palms all over Goa, were and are grown for economic benefit, planted around the home, in fields, on bunds and so on, and a small percentage for aesthetic reasons. With the classification of the coconut palm as a Forest Tree, permission had to be taken to cut it down. This made life much harder for the house holder, the farmer and I believe the Agricultural Department, but was beneficial for the Forest Department, if fees are charged for giving permission to cut down the coconut palms. If the palm growing in one's garden was a danger to life and property, or was too tall to climb and harvest, or became senile and low in productivity, and needed a replacement, it could NOT be cut without permission, which does not always come promptly. If the farmer wants to replant his field and replace senile palms, he cannot do so, without permission, which does not always come promptly. If the government has many schemes to encourage the replacement of senile and dangerous palms with new and high producing ones, the scheme cannot work efficiently for permission has to be taken in every case. In terms of productivity with regard to the coconut palm, Goa is near the bottom of the list of States. Looking at the other side of the coin: will this freedom to "cut down palms" be abused and will Goa become a state with sunshine and sand but no palms? I am absolutely sure it will not happen. Will the whole sale slaughter of palms take place now that everyone has freedom to cut palms? Of course not. No one, but no one, cuts down the palm for no reason. Without doubt a palm that is a danger to life and home, must be cut down, and the previous red tape to get permission was a hindrance. If one has to build a home, or a factory or any structure, and the palm is in the way, yes, they will get cut down now easier than before. They certainly did get cut down before but with permission. What is the difference with or without permission -- the same number will be cut down, in one case easily and in the other, with fees being paid. If a building or a factory comes up, I see no harm if the coconut trees standing on the land and in the way, are cut down. Jobs are created, new products will reach the public, living standards are improved and wealth is created. Why not have all these benefits in place of some senile palms? I cannot see any other palm being cut down. This number however pales in comparison with the number of senile palms [more than 50%] that should be cut down, and replanted with young palms. All efforts by the Agriculture Department of the Government of Goa, to rejuvenate and replant, hits a serious road block with the earlier permission needed. On the one hand we blame Government for being slow and for poor governance, and on the other hand some are demanding legislation that results in exactly that! All the people I asked if they will now cut down their palms for they do not need permission, looked at me as if I was a mad man! "Why on earth should I cut it down?" was the most common retort. The coconut palm is not a rose wood or a sandal wood tree, that is more useful cut and dead than when standing and alive. On the contrary it is almost valueless when dead. Who then wants the legislation to come back, that the coconut palm is a forest tree? I think it is only those who see opportunity for themselves and those who have not thought this through properly. Please enlighten me if I have missed something. -- David Lobo has been called 'The Coconut Palm Man'. After deciding the priesthood was not for him, he committed himself to a range of businesses, and currently adds value to farmers' lives through his Bangalore-headquartered hybrid coconut palms and Deejay Farms. See deejayfarm.com and http://sustainabilitynext.in/special-interview/meet-david-lobo-the-coconut-palm-man/