Press Release Greening Goa University Through Participation of Society The Western Ghats Kokum Foundation[WGKF], a registered society, and the Goa University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding by which WGKF will undertake the greening of the Goa University campus by raising funds from various philantrophic individuals, groups and companies who would like to invest in a better environment for generations of students and faculty at this only University in Goa. The MoU was signed by the Registrar, Dr.Jayant Budkuley, on behlf of Goa University and Chairman of WGKF, Dr.Ajit Shirodkar, on behalf of the Society in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. P.S.Zacharias. The Head of the designated Nodal Department, Prof.D.Jayarama Bhat and the Executive Engineer Mr.V.L. "Dharesh" Sawkar of the Goa University and Vice-Chairman Mr.P.G.Kakodkar, Treasurer Mr.Shreekant Joshi and Jt.Secretary Mr.Miguel Braganza of the WGKF were also present at the simple function to exchange the MoU. The first phase of the MoU implementation will be formally launched on 07 June, 2005[ Mrig] with tree plantation in the existing State Bank of India sponsorred fruit orchard. This plantation, initiated in the early 1990s, will be spruced up, dead and damaged trees appropriately treated and systematic planting taken up in the vacant area available for planting. The fence will be mended, where needed. Access will be created for students of the University and residents of the campus to enjoy the shade and other benefits from the existing trees. Stone seats and benches will be installed to make this plantation a living space for all to enjoy.The costs of these improvements will be met through generous sponsorships obtained by the WGKF for this project from the State Bank of India[SBI] and the Multi-Commodity Exchange of India[ MCEI] . Further planting will be undertaken in this orchard along with the students during the month of June, including Founder's Day, after the academic year begins on 15 June, 2005. Discussions have been initiated on the plant for the entire campus, including the main NIO Circle to GMC road that passes through the Goa University campus. Shri Mohamad Fazl [former Governor of Goa and ex-officio Chancellor of Goa University who now resides near International Centre-Goa], Ms.Anju A.Timblo, Managing Director of Hotel Cidade de Goa, and other citizens have expressed interest to participate in the avenue planting from NIO Circle to Goa University. Mr. P.G.Kakodkar has been instrumental in planting Raintrees and Terminalia along the Marine by-pass from Mirmar Circle to NIO Circle five years back with funds from SBI. He has also helped raise the SBI Forest at Tirupathi-Tirumala Devastan complex in Andhra Pradesh. Now his entire focus is on his native land, Goa. At the age of seventy he has the enthusiasm of a seventeen year old when it comes to tree planting. There can be no looking back, except with pride in a job well done. With "PGK" there is just no other way! The MoU goes beyond social investment in tree planting and nurturing of the trees planted for a period of five years, with a express desire to extend it by another five years by mutual consent. It is the WGKF's desire and aim to bring the trees to fruit and then hand them over exclusively to the Goa University establishment for maintenance and utilization. Fruit trees are specially selected to make the latest varieties identified by the Dr.Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth's Regional Fruit Research Station at Vengurla and the ICAR Research Centre at Ela-Old Goa available on the campus. Trees that attract birds, butterflies and other flying creatures by their fragrance, nectar and fruits will be identified and planted. Dr.D.Jayarama Bhat Professor & Head , GU Department of Botany, will interact with the teaching faculty and research fellows in the Departments of Botany and Zoology at the Goa University and affiliated colleges to identify such trees. The WGKF will also tap the vast knowledge and experience of its members and associates in the Botanical Society of Goa[BSG], Worldwide Fund for Nature[WWF-N], Centre for Environment Education[CEE], The Energy Research Institute [TERI], Directorate of Agriculture, ICAR-Goa, Forest Department and other agencies to enhance the quality and delivery of the project. On the research side, the MoU seeks to set up collaborative projects for the advancement of knowledge and technology in the cultivation,post-harvest handling and processing of Garcinia indica,Choisy , commonly known as Kokum or brindonna. Kokum trees of various varieties will be included in the campus biodiversity. The project on preparation of Kokum wine, currently done as a pilot project by JRF Ms.K. Phadte under the guidance of Dr.Nandkumar Kamat of the Botany Department would be scaled up and other projects added on as may be decided from time to time. Dr.D.Jayaram Bhat is the designated Nodal Officer representing the Goa University in the implementation of this MoU. The WGKF and the Goa University will jointly organise Seminars, meetings and publications on Garcinia species as done during the 2nd National Seminar on Kokum held at Goa University on 5 &6 March, 2005. The MoU succintly articulates some of the activities already initiated on a one-off basis and gives them a framework in which to grow on the long term. Goa will gain from this collaborative work of the Goa University and the Western Ghats Kokum Foundation. The rest of India and the world will benefit from the knowledge and technology which will be in the public domain for non-commercial use. The publications of the WGKF follow the 'Copyleft' principle that gives the reader the freedom to reproduce part or whole of the text with proper citation to acknowledge the source thereof. This MoU is the beginning . It is hoped that other agencies and NGOs will come forward with mutally or socially beneficial projects to be conducted in collaboration with the Goa University. It is our University. It shapes the destiny of the future generations. Let us give the right impetus to the shaping of their destiny. Dr.Ajit Shirodkar Prof D.Jayarama Bhat Chairman,WGKF Nodal Officer, Goa University