GBE to undertake “Bio-Mimicry” at Cavorim Oll

Ganv Bhavancho Ekvott initiated implementing “Bio-Mimicry” along the Oll or creek in Cavorim by conducting an educative session on 23 rd March to explain the process and its need.

“Bio-Mimicry” is a non-invasive process involving manually uprooting weeds like Congress Grass and creepers thatthwart the growth of good plants that have strong roots to hold the soil. Mechanised process of using bush cutters results in killing the much needed natural plants along with the weeds.

In all 40 people including the Alternate President and Attorney or Cavorim Communidade along with Chandor Club General Secretary participated in the session.

Mr.Prasanna Parab, author of ‘Birds of Goa’ who has also studied spiders in Goa, while pointing out that only a fraction of existing spiders in Goa
are documented, stressed the need to study them as they are a key indicator of a healthy environment.
While disclosing that Tarantula spiders are found in India, he disclosed that they are not venomous like those in Australia or USA. “Trade has resulted in spiders traveling to different places”, he said adding that Indian spiders are today found in Poland.

Well known wildlife rescuer Benhall Antao who is also a conservationist while pointing out that flora and fauna has to co-exist, lamented that the world is turning “humancentric”.

Responding to a query is said displacing wildlife, particularly leopards is a major cause for the increase in monkey menace. He further explained that “instilled” fear of snakes results in their killing even though these reptiles are very calm and in fact fear humans.

Alex Carpenter a conservationist who specializes in restoring wet tropical forests and living in Goa’s forests for the last decade besides explaining “Bio-Mimicry” also shared the work he has done in Mhadei and Kotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries along with Christina.
He displayed photographs of the dramatic changes on the embankments at both places where after five years of conducting “Bio-Mimicry” and promised to repeat this along the Oll in Cavorim along with the local people.

GBE presented potted plants to the experts present. Participants were served egg patties, vegetable sandwiches and watermelon juice at this programme that was compered by Jaret de Silva.

Earlier on March 15, adozen of GBE members visited sick or elderly people from Anthoi, Pocklemoll and Jitlem in Guirdolim with Darwin Cardoso and Magna Antao being the project managers.

In all they visited 13 households that included couples living in four houses.
Among those visited were former football referee Edmund Miranda and GBE member Placiano Fernandes.

They also visited Pascoal Pereira and his wife. Pascoal was popularly called Rebeckist as he used to fiddle at the church and various functions in the village and had joined GBE after participating in the first Christmas Party for senior citizens organized by GBE.