Goa is the smallest state situated in the Konkan west region
of India. Throughout the year, Goa’s climate remains hot and humid. It has the
shortest winter and monsoon starts from June. Goa has seven major rivers
Mandovi, Zuari, Terekhol, Chapora, Kushavati, Betul, Talpon and the Sal. The
Mormugao harbour situated on the mouth of the River Zuari is the best natural
harbours in South Asia.
The forest cover of Goa is about 1424 square kilometres.
Part of one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world namely the Western Ghats
lies in Goa. Goa’s main horticulture produce includes coconut, cashew, mango,
jackfruit and pineapples. Rice is the main crop of Goa. Along with Rice, Ragi
and pulses are also grown in Goa. Goa’s State animal is the Gaur (Indian bison)
and state bird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul (also known as Black Crested
Bulbul). The state tree of Goa is the Matti (Terminalia eliptica). The state of
Goa has one National Park, namely Molem National park and six Wildlife
Sanctuaries, which includes Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahaveer Wildlife
Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali
Wildlife Sanctuary, one bird Sanctuary namely the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary
located on the island of Chorao.
State symbols of Goa
The special cover which was released by the Department of
Posts on March 3, 2022 consists of Matti (Terminalia eliptica), Gaur (state
animal), Ruby Throated yellow Bulbul (State Bulbul), and Malabar Tree Nymph
(State Butterfly).
Medicinal Plants of Tulsi, Haridra, Sarpagandha and
Ghritkumari were issued on October 28, 1997 in Se-Tenant format in both
horizontal and vertical forms.
Geographical Indications:
A geographical indication (GI) tag is used for an
agricultural, natural or a manufactured product (handicraft and industrial
goods) originating from a definite geographical territory. Typically, such a
name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, which is essentially
attributable to the place of its origin.
Geographical indications (GI) refer to a type of
intellectual property (IP) protection which identifies goods with a
geographical region. The GI tagging is attributed in such a manner that
quality, reputation and other salient features of the commodity are linked to
the location of origin. The GI tag for a product can be used only by legitimate
users and the residents of the territory of origin. GI tags may be obtained for
agricultural products, handicrafts, textiles, manufactured goods, foodstuffs
etc. The given GI tag may be in the form of a geographical name or a figurative
representation or a combination of these two. The tag assigned to a product
should convey its geographical origin. GI plays an important role in promoting
the conservation of biodiversity among the rural populations. Some of the
special covers released on GI by the Department of Posts, include Goa Cashew
Feni special cover which was released on August 12, 2021, Khola Chilli special
cover was released on August 27, 2021, Myndoli Banana special covers was
released on December 17, 2021, Goan Khaje special covers was released on
December 17, 2021 and Harmal Chilli special cover was released on December 17,
2021.
Birds of Goa
A series of picture post cards on the Birds of Goa were
released by the Department of Posts, Goa Postal Division. One of the
specialities of these picture post cards are they are with QR Scan code, which
will give more details of the individual birds. The birds include Crimson
backed Sunbird, Flame Throated Bulbul, Grey fronted Green Pigeon, Grey Headed
Bulbul, Malabar Barbet, Malabar Grey Hornbill, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Rufous
Babbler, Square tailed Bulbul and White bellied Blue Flycatcher.
Moths and Butterflies
Several picture post cards on the Moths and Butterflies of
Goa have been released which include the state butterfly, Malabar Tree Nymph.
This has special Augmented Reality cancelation, which was released for the
first time.
Snakes of Goa
A set of picture post cards on the snakes of the state have
been released by the department. This picture post card cancellation has the
Augmented Reality facility too.
Olive Ridley Turtles
A special cover was
released on the Olive Ridley Turtles which hatch their eggs on various beaches
in Goa. A couple of beaches in Goa are natural habitats for Olive Ridley
turtles, and are the best spots to witness this phenomenon. The popular beaches
are Morjim in North Goa, while Galgibaga (sometimes called Turtle Beach),
Agonda and Talpona are located in South Goa. These beaches were notified for
protecting and facilitating turtle nesting in the 1990s.
ODOP Products Coconut
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has formally
notified coconut based products for South Goa under the One District One
Product component (ODOP) of Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing
Enterprises Scheme (PMFME). There are nearly 20 value added products being
processed in the state of Goa. A special cover on the ODOP for South Goa was
released by the Department of Posts, Goa, on October 11, 2022.
Jackfruit
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries has formally
notified Jackfruit based products for North Goa under the One District One
Product component (ODOP) of Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food
Processing Enterprises Scheme (PMFME). There are more than 9 value added products
manufactured from the state of Goa. A special cover on the ODOP for South Goa
was released by the Department of Posts, Goa, on October 11, 2022.
(Dr M R Ramesh Kumar
is the former president of the Goa Philately and Numismatics Society and
ex-scientist, NIO. A five frame exhibit on ‘Biodiversity in India through
Philately’ provided by Dr Ramesh Kumar, is on display at the Head Post Office,
Panjim. The exhibition is open to all from 10 am to 5 pm till May 30.)