Goa State Biodiversity Board’s ‘GoVan’ project has provided means for livelihood for women. Women empowerment has received a big boost in this sustainable way that primarily aims for ‘Conservation of Biodiversity through livelihood interventions’. In the process, various value-added products are being dished out that offer the tourists in particular – the real taste of Goa!
According to the information on https://gsbb.goa.gov.in/ – this is an initiative conceptualised to ensure direct linkage between the owners of bioresources and consumers, which is further strengthened by other collaborators and supporters by adopting principle of sustainable and non-destructive harvesting of minor forest produce, sourcing and supplying it with authenticity, preparing formulations based on traditional knowledge, process validate and ensure inclusive model at ground level for smooth functioning of the project.
Conservation of biodiversity is a primary motto, which clearly reflects from the aim of the project itself. Non-destructive and sustainable harvesting is ensured while procuring bioresources from cultivated farms as well as minor forest produce, since we believe that each and every living organism on this earth has an equal right on all the natural resources. Harvesting is carried out by considering certain crucial aspects such as, authenticity, quality, optimal quantity of harvest after retaining sufficient quantity for other species dependent on tree resources. By adopting the above method, we try to maintain balance between feasibility and fair and equitable benefit sharing of natural resources between humans and other living forms and also conservation and enhancement of resources under consideration.
Untapped bioresources which usually remain unutilized, underutilized or wasted and generally does not gain commercial value, are procured from farmers at a mutually agreeable costs depending on market value in order to provide addon value to the bioresources which are under-explored. Sorting and grading of procured raw materials is carried out by trained personnel at Multi-Product Processing Centre (MPC). Emphasis is on gender equity and support to deserving sections of society. After initial quality analysis the superior quality raw materials further converted into an exclusive and an authentic Goan value-added product. The recipes and processes utilized in preparation of these products are the perfect blend of Goan tradition with modern touch. Finally, we have our finished products right from forest or agricultural fields to home shelf. Products are marketed and sold through various channels and the monetary gains are distributed among the working personnel at MPC. Plan is to plough back part of profits for biodiversity conservation purpose, once they are realized. Multi-Product Processing Centres are located at Pale-Bicholim and Pontemol-Curchorem.
Along with the state government, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and District Mineral Fund (DMF)-Goa support the ‘GoVan’ project.
