Nature and culture come alive at Goa forest festival

Panaji: Nature and conservation took centre stage at the Goa Forest Diversity Festival in Campal, organised by the Goa forest development corporation.Chief minister Pramod Sawant said such initiatives promote Goa’s biodiversity and cultural practices through Jal, Jungle and Jameen.

“The forest recipes of Goa, which you can’t get at five-star hotels, need to be documented and preserved to show the younger generation how Goan life was lived earlier,” he said.Sunita Shirodkar, a plant enthusiast from Ponda, displayed seeds of lily varieties such as Malabar Glory Lily, daffodils and March Lily. “Earlier, these lilies were plentiful. I once ordered one online and received a fake. I want people to grow authentic flowers,” she said.Artist Sagar Naik Mule showcased Kaavi Art, a 700-year-old mural tradition made from Goan red soil. “The red laterite motifs on white shell-lime surfaces are seen in many Goan temples, but the art is fading as the technique needs time and patience,” Mule said.Stalls displayed items made from hand-woven palm leaves, earthen clay, cane and coconut shells. Handloom Kunbi clothing and the sweet Khaje highlighted lesser-known occupations like weaving.

Food from tribal communities, prepared using local meat, vegetables and pulses, drew crowds, with tubers such as Katkongam and zhaddkongam proving popular. “These flavours were unknown, and tribals never had a platform earlier,” said Shubra Shankwalkar.