Tree or not? Goa Govt, Oppn go coco-nuts

Panaji, January 11

The Goa Government has decided to no longer consider coconut as a tree, evoking sharp criticism from the Opposition in the state.

While the Opposition and activists have alleged the Cabinet decision will encourage cutting down of large plantations of coconut palms to make way for real estate development, the government claims coconut was wrongly defined as a tree by earlier governments.

“While the BJP wants to protect the cow saying it is a holy animal, it is giving a free licence to cut coconut trees, which is also holy and called a ‘kalpvriksha’ in Goa. By saying the coconut is not a tree, the government is making way for easy slaughter of coconut palms for real estate development,” said Fatorda legislator Vijai Sardesai.

The coconut tree in tropical Goa is often referred to as the “kalpvriksha”, a mythical wish-fulfilling tree which finds reference in Vedic scriptures due to its immense utility value. Its fruit, plucked tender, is a refreshing drink. Once ripe, its white pulp is a common ingredient in Goan curry. The shell is used for handicraft, the fronds are woven and used as roof thatch and as rain shelter.

Fresh sap tapped from the tree is a popular drink called toddy, which, once fermented, is used to cook sanna (local sweet idlis) and once distilled, transforms into a potent alcoholic brew called coconut feni.

The main stock of the tree once cut and cured is used in roof beams in traditional Goan homes.

But according to the Cabinet decision taken by the government last week, coconut is not a tree. Forest Minister Rajendra Arlekar said it did not even qualify as a tree botanically.

“It was included in error as a tree by the (Congress-led coalition government) in 2008. We are correcting the anomaly,” Arlekar said. In this connection, he referred to the Goa Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees act 1984.

Sardesai claimed the decision came in the wake of permission given to an alcohol distillery company to set up a unit on a piece of land with several hundred coconut trees in south Goa’s Sanguem sub-district.

“The cabinet decision is linked to this development. The promotion industry at the cost of environment will be disastrous to Goa,” Sardesai said. Agriculture department suggests over 25,000 hectares in the state were covered by coconut plantations. — IANS