ACTIVITIES The Botanical Society of Goa will hold its annual general body meeting [AGM] on sunday 19 February, 2006, at the World Wide Fund for Nature- Goa Unit office in the Science Centre complex, Miramar , from 10.30 A.M. Plant lovers are welcome to attend even if not yet enrolled as members. Life membership is Rs.1000/- only for individuals. The BSG also has an interactive net group [EMAIL PROTECTED] to which any plant lover can subscribe. The group is moderated only to control spam and off-topic postings. Plant related postings on vermiculture, EM, bio-diesel welcome.
The BSG is registered in Goa under the Societies Act, 1860 on 05 May, 1990. It is a pro-Nature activity group, not normally involved in advocacy. It interacts with both, NGOs and Government agencies. BSG ACTIVITIES 2005-06 Conducted so far 7-9 May, 2005 3rd annual KONKAN FRUIT FEST at the Corniche Road Promenade, Panaji, inaugurated by Mr.S.C. Jamir, Governor of Goa and prizes given by Ms.Kiran Dingra, Chief Secretary of Goa. Focus on Garcinia germplasm, processing and equipment. Participation by four Colleges, Universities and Research Centres led by ICAR-Goa, WGKF, DSTE, Pilar Nature Farm, Dte. of Agriculture and private entrepreneurs. Corporation of City of Panaji provided the venue. Volunteer teams from Carmel HSS and Govt. College,Khandola. 07May, 2005 Release of the first BUDSPORT in colour, tabloid format by Mr.S.C.Jamir, Governor of Goa. 14 August,2005 Hike to Tambdi Surla with Youth Hostels Assoc of India. 20 August, 2005 Release of the book A LITTLE ABOUT KOKUM by Dr.Ajit Shirodkar, Chairman Western Ghats Kokum Foundation, Panaji-Goa. 20 to 22 August FESTIVAL OF PLANTS AND FLOWERS (14th edition). Exhibition and sale of plants, manures, equipments and competitions in cooking with kokum, fruit fancy dress,fruit arrangements, vegetable carving, potted plants at school level and for residents of Siolim SFX High School, Portavaddo Siolim. Focus on Kokum 10,11 September BRITTO FLORA 2005 (4th edition) Exhibition and sale of plants. Inter - school competition in potted plants, flower arrangement, vegetable carving and petals rangoli at St. Britto High School, Mapusa 10 September Clean up of Roadside trees on the Miramar by-pass road. 24 September Hike to Mollem WLS with Youth Hostels Assoc.-Panaji. 18 to 20 November, 2005 PLANT UTSAV 2005 (8 th Edition) organised by BSG at Garcia da Orta Municipal Garden , Panaji, with the Corporation of the City of Panaji as the festival partner . Individual and Institutional members participated. L.D.Samant school, Porvorim put up a display of over a hundred posters on medicinal plants. Ayurveda College displayed and sold medicinal plants. Competitions for school and college students on garbage management and medicinal plants evoked good response. Forest Deptment participated. 8 and 15 January, 2006 All Goa Home Garden Competion held. Judged by a team of experts from BSG led by IPP Dr.H.Y.Karapurkar [former Director of Agriculture and CMD of Horticulture Corporation] and comprising of Mr.Rozendo Mendonsa, Mr.Rodney Almeida, Mr. Prakash Pednekar [all three nurserymen], and Rena Fernandes [Agiculture officer]. Prizes will be awarded on 19 February, 2006. Proposed activities: # Continued interaction with the Government for 'Geographical Indications' registration of feni for Goa. #Collaboration with Mormugao Municipal Council to conduct the GREEN MORMUGAO exhibition 3 to 5 March, 2006 #Survey and documentation of cultivated cereal, fruit, spice and vegetable crop varieties in Goa. #Publication of quarterly BUDSPORT newsletter and project reports. #4th Konkan Fruit Fest from 5 to 7 May, 2006 with the spotlight on Jamun or Jamlam [Eugenia jambulana], its juice, seed powder and wine as a health drink sutble for diabetics. #Interaction with the Goa Knowledge Commission to include agricultural topics in language, foundation course and environmental Science [EVS] curriculum at school, higher secondary school and college levels. #Interaction with the Goa Board of Education for updating the curriculum for vocational courses in Horticulture and Floriculture. #Technical support to institutions to conduct training courses in gardening and solid waste management. # Support to Festival of Plants and Flowers at SFX school, Siolim, and other member institutions. # Hikes and Nature Trails for members and invitees. # 9th PLANT UTSAV in November, 2006 #12th Home Garden Competition in January, 2007 Viva Goa. Miguel Braganza President, BSG.