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Hindustan Times
12-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Goa Biodiversity Board warns against unrestricted harvesting of wild mushrooms
PANAJI: The Goa State Biodiversity Board has issued an advisory warning against unrestricted harvesting of seasonal wild mushrooms saying that it was a major risk to the state's biodiversity and such action could invite legal action against the harvesters. Ten-Twelve mushroom buds weighing around 200 grams are sold at around ₹ 500. The Board urged traditional harvesters to 'leave behind at least fifty percent young stages on the termite mounds for conservation of their biodiversity' in order to ensure that the survival of vulnerable species are not threatened by overharvesting. 'The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 has ensured protection of natural species of wild mushrooms in wildlife sanctuaries but still people enter secretly in the forest and pluck mushrooms,' the advisory said cautioning that 'people ignorant of the different species of wild mushrooms need to be careful not to plunder rare smaller species found outside forest areas.' According to Pradip Sarmokadam, the member secretary of the Board, Goa is host to several species of Termitomyces, a genus of mushrooms that gets its name from the fact that they are frequently found growing on and around termite mounds, including possibly rare and threatened species, whose potential use in medicine and for the extraction of rare compounds is yet to be explored. 'Scientists are researching mushroom species for new drugs/ pharmaceuticals but, if wild species are destroyed in Goa then nothing will be left for scientific research,' Sarmokadam added. These include varieties known locally as khut or Khutyaliolami, Toshaliolami, Sonyaliolami and Chonchyaliolami or even smaller varieties like Shitololami. Ten-Twelve mushroom buds weighing around 200 grams are sold at around ₹500. The GSBB fears that 'rampant consumption and over exploitation' has spurred traditional pluckers to indulge in unethical practices, degrading sensitive wild habitat, thus causing erosion of biodiversity. According to a 2004 study, Goa has 28 species of Termitomyces mushrooms. However, experts believe that claims that the mushrooms are threatened are exaggerated. 'Mushrooms as a species grow out of the wood that the termites carry back to their nest. It is a symbiotic relationship between the termites and the mushroom with the mushrooms helping break down the lignin in the wood,' said horticulturist Miguel Braganza. 'Harvesting mushrooms has little to no effect on the spread of the mushroom as the main fungi organism lives below the surface. The real threat to the mushrooms is the use of fungicides and other chemicals, which the GSBB is silent about, and it is instead targeting the harvester, who often hails from poor communities,' he added. 'There is no threat to the species from harvesting, instead entire hills are being lost to mining and real estate, which the government is doing very little about,' Braganza said. Studies have recorded that all Termitomyces species are edible and have unique food value attributed to their texture, flavour, nutrient content, and beneficial mediational properties. The genus has been recognized for its ethno-medicinal importance in various indigenous communities throughout Asia and Africa. Recent studies on Termitomyces have indicated that their bioactive compounds have the potential to fight against certain human diseases such as cancer, hyperlipidaemia, gastroduodenal diseases, and Alzheimer's. Furthermore, they possess various beneficial antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Moreover, different enzymes produced from Termitomyces have the potential to be used in a range of industrial applications.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Biodiversity board warns against exploitation of wild mushrooms
Panaji: As the sale of wild mushrooms has begun in Goa with the arrival of the monsoon, the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has warned against the overexploitation of these edible mushrooms, known locally as 'roen olmi'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The GSBB has appealed to Goans not to encourage the sale and consumption of these wild mushrooms and has said that locals should instead patronise the 'much cheaper and nutritious button and oyster mushrooms' available in local markets. The roen olmi is considered a delicacy locally. However, the GSBB began initiating awareness on the conservation of roen olmi from 2018, noting that the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides protection to natural species of wild mushrooms in wildlife sanctuaries. Yet, these mushrooms are seen being plucked secretly by entering forests for sale and consumption. 'For thousands of years, forest dwellers conserved wild mushroom species. But in recent times, people started exploiting mushrooms, posing a threat to nature,' the GSBB has said. 'The unethical approach of pluckers is degrading sensitive wild habitats, thus causing erosion of biodiversity. Scientists are researching mushroom species for new drugs/pharmaceuticals, but if wild species are destroyed in Goa, then nothing will be left for scientific research. ' The GSBB has also appealed to those involved in plucking and in the roadside sale of roen olmi to leave behind at least 50% of the young stages on the termite mounds for the conservation of their biodiversity. It also asked owners of private forests to care for and conserve the roen olmi species. 'People must completely avoid plucking and bringing very small mushrooms for sale. Nobody should plunder rare smaller species found outside forest areas,' GSBB said. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It has added, 'These include varieties known as khut or khutyaliolami, toshaliolami, sonyaliolami, and chonchyaliolami. People must not overexploit non-marketed smaller species of termitomyces, locally known as shiti, shitololami, found at the end of the monsoon.'
Time of India
22-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
State will introduce scheme to revive salt pans, says CM
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that state govt will introduce a new scheme to revive salt pans in Goa. The scheme will be implemented through the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), said Sawant at the International Day for Biodiversity 2025 event at Sanquelim. He felicitated various individuals and communities for their initiatives in biodiversity conservation. 'From khazan farming to kulagars and sacred groves, biodiversity is deeply rooted in Goa's heritage. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), supported by the GSBB, continue to play a pivotal role in preserving our unique ecosystems through local action and community involvement. We will revive salt pans in Goa in collaboration with CSMCRI Bhavnagar and experts like Savita Kerkar. Our focus will be on local bio-salt, livelihoods, and ecological restoration,' said Sawant. He said that GoVan multi-processing centres, utilising local natural produce, run by women have been made operational by the state in Kudne, Pissurlem, Bhironda, Mayem, Pilgao, Verna, Dabhal, Sulcorna and Uguem. He said two more centers are now coming up at Sancorda and Rivona. 'These units are professionally managed to benefit women, farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Goa govt is committed to aligning biodiversity conservation with livelihood generation and sustainable development,' said Sawant.
