By Bolmax Pereira*
Panaji, May 27, 2026: “We require a new and universal solidarity.” (Laudato Si’, 14). Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical, communities in Goa are reviving farmlands, protecting rivers, switching to solar energy, and building interfaith alliances to safeguard creation.
In Goa, Laudato Si’ is more than reflection—it is revival: fallow farmlands are tilled, rivers protected, solar energy embraced, and communities united across faiths to safeguard creation.
Faith‑inspired action shows that ecological care is both a spiritual and communal responsibility—where prayer, education, and advocacy converge to nurture people and planet alike.
The Diocesan Commission for Ecology (DCE) has been a pivotal player in Goa’s ecological movements. Launched on World Environment Day in June 2022 by the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, the commission serves as a central hub for environmental action.
It acts as an advocate for “responsible development,” challenging large‑scale projects like the double‑tracking of the South‑Western Railway line, which is seen as a threat to Goa’s fragile ecosystem and a contributor to coal pollution.
An important aspect of the Church’s ecological response in Goa, particularly under the guidance of the DCE, is the annual Season of Creation.
This event provides a structured, multi‑week period for communities to engage in prayer, reflection, and action focused on environmental stewardship. The strength of the Season of Creation in Goa lies in its decentralized implementation.
It is not a single, large event but rather a series of coordinated activities organized by individual parishes and deaneries that bring communities together for activities like agricultural revival and celebrating the ecological uniqueness of various villages.
This collaborative nature—often involving members of other faith communities and local government bodies—embodies the spirit of dialogue and cooperation promoted by Laudato Si’.
During the third edition held at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Candolim, North Goa, the Catholic Church, a Hindu temple, and the Village Panchayat came together to revive more than two lakh square meters of agricultural land that had lain fallow for four decades, bringing 152 farmers back into cultivation.
The event also highlighted a sanitation initiative called “12 at 12 for 12” as a model for effective waste management.
Similarly, the first two editions—hosted at Sto. Estevam Parish in Central Goa (2022) and Benaulim Parish in South Goa (2023)—celebrated the interconnectedness of environmental heritage and community life.
Green seminaries and solar revolution
Green Seminaries of Goa have also played a role. In 2008, a rainwater harvesting system was introduced to create a mango orchard on barren land at the Minor Seminary in Saligao.
Today, the site has become a living laboratory, revealing the mystical, organic dance between land and water and fostering a deeper spiritual bond with Mother Earth. Other seminaries—the Patriarchal Seminary of Rachol, Pilar Theological Seminary, and the SVD Seminary in Raia—have similar green journeys to share.
Jesuit institutions, meanwhile, have led a “quiet energy revolution.” Nearly 90% of their schools, colleges, and residences now have solar panels installed. This transition is not only an act of ecological conversion but also a practical model of sustainable living.
The success of this project extends beyond Jesuit institutions, with the Goa Archdiocese working to build local expertise and even transferring surplus energy to the state grid.
Agricultural revival has been another key impact of Laudato Si’ in Goa. Salesian priest Father George Quadros launched an “agricultural revolution” aimed at reclaiming abandoned paddy fields. Starting with a pilot project in Velsao village, he introduced Japanese rice nursery and transplanting machines.
The project’s success—lower costs and higher yields—became a model for the region. Father Quadros promotes community farming, encouraging farmers to collectivize and share resources.
The Don Bosco Loutolim Society’s “Goa Paddy” initiative provides machinery, technical guidance, and full support from seed procurement to harvest. This model has revitalized hundreds of hectares of fallow land in South Goa, significantly increasing paddy production.
Youth farmers lead agricultural revival
The Chicalim Youth Farmers Club (CYFC) embodies the vision of reviving agriculture and empowering youth. The movement began in 2020 during the COVID‑19 lockdown, when untrained but enthusiastic youth responded to a call to support local farmers facing a severe labor shortage.
This led to the formation of CYFC with a clear mission: to rejuvenate farming in the village. They partnered with generous landowners who offered long‑fallow fields for cultivation, combining traditional practices with mechanized farming.
In 2021, they cultivated 13,000 sq. m of land, producing Jyoti and Kharjat rice. They later expanded into vegetable farming, and every year the land under cultivation has continued to increase. CYFC’s work goes beyond farming.
Together with groups like Goencho Ekvott and the Save Mollem movement, they have opposed ecologically destructive infrastructure projects.
They have also been active in the Save Mhadei movement, opposing the diversion of the Mhadei River and advocating for the protection of the Mhadei Tiger Reserve. Their actions reflect a deep commitment to defending Goa’s fragile ecosystems and preserving its natural heritage.
Educational and ecological initiatives based on integral ecology have also flourished. Schools and colleges have been vital in this effort. St. Joseph Vaz College’s “Come Let’s Mangrove” campaign and Regina Mundi School’s eco‑club engage students in restoring mangroves and protecting coastal ecosystems.
Educational walks through mangroves and coastal areas help youth reconnect with nature, build environmental literacy, and show the links between ecology, social justice, and sustainable livelihoods.
Advocacy organizations like the Goa Foundation have been instrumental in promoting the “shared inheritance paradigm,” which views Goa’s natural resources as a trust for future generations.
Their legal and advocacy work on mining, coal transportation, and tiger reserve protection embodies Laudato Si’’s critique of an economy that prioritizes short‑term profit over long‑term planetary well‑being.
Future pathways for integral ecology
The momentum sparked by Laudato Si’ offers a strong foundation for shaping Goa’s ecological future. Guided by the seven Laudato Si’ Goals, future action can focus on deepening ecological spirituality, promoting ecological economics and sustainable lifestyles, and building community resilience.
The challenge now is to scale beyond isolated projects toward systemic change, ensuring that integral ecology becomes embedded in Goa’s social, spiritual, and ecological fabric, safeguarding its rich natural heritage for future generations.
Together, they represent a holistic and multi‑dimensional response to the ecological crisis in Goa. It’s a journey from prayer and reflection to practical action, bringing the vision of Laudato Si’ to life in a way that is uniquely Goan.
*Father Bolmax Pereira, 50, a priest of the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, known for his fight for people, culture and the environment died of cardiac arrest early May 26. A passionate environmentalist and recipient of the Rex Karmaveer Chakra Award, he served as the Convenor of the Diocesan Commission for Ecology, Archdiocese of Goa and Daman, and Secretary of the Western Region of the CCBI Commission for Ecology.
(Excerpted from an article “Laudato Si’ in Goa: From Reflection to Action” by Bolmax Pereira in Voices for Our Common Home: Laudato Si’ in Asia. Edited by Father John Mi Shen and Father George F Peter. Published by Pauline Publications.)