Coconut classification:Cong to bring bill to counter Goa govt move

The Bill would classify Coconut as 'tree' and not as 'palm' as the fruit is synonymous with the unique Goan identity

To counter Goa government's move amidst ongoing controversy on the classification of coconut tree as "palm", Congress said Saturday it would introduce a bill in the state Legislative Assembly.

"We have decided to introduce 'Goa Protection of Coconut Trees Bill' during the Monsoon session of state Legislative Assembly scheduled to begin in March," Congress MLA Pandurang Madkaikar said.

The Bill aims to protect and preserve the Coconut trees in Goa, which are threatened after the state government effected an amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act, 1984.

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"The Bill would classify Coconut as 'tree' and not as 'palm'," he said, adding, the fruit is synonymous with the unique Goan identity, its landscape, culture, cuisine and ethos.

"The tree has also economic and religious significance. It is in this context that Congress-led government had rightly classified the Coconut as 'tree' by introducing an amendment to the Goa, Daman and Diu Preservation of Trees Act in 2008," the legislator said.

"The Congress party is always sensitive on this issue. We also demand that Coconut tree be declared as the State Tree by the government," he added.