PANAJI: Compensatory afforestation of five lakh trees was completed at Mopa and surrounding areas within four years, before the five-year target set by the Supreme Court. The survival rate of the trees planted has been found to be 75% in a recent study, civil aviation director Suresh Shanbhogue said on Sunday.
"Mopa airport is one project where when we were told to plant five lakh saplings, we didn't know how to go about it and an affidavit was given in the SC. When I mentioned this to Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) member secretary Pradip Sarmokadam, he asked me not to worry saying 'we will do it through the board'. You will be surprised that the target was achieved within four years," Shanbhogue said after the presentation of the State Biodiversity Conservation Awards 2022.