Legislative reforms:

Major legislative headway was achieved by amending three sections of the Preservation of Trees Act, 1984. The legislative measures were aimed at

i) Simplification and administrative procedure
In grant of felling licences to trees in private areas by empowering Assistant Conservators of Forests (ACF's) to become eligible to be appointed as "Tree Officers" which hitherto could be done only up to the level of Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF's) — a step towards statutory decentralization.

ii) Conservation of Tree cover in Private Areas
by empowering Government to prescribe and levy a "felling fee" while felling licences are issued. This has given flexibility to Government to monitor felling of trees in private areas and to effectively intervene in case of undersirable trends being observed in these procedures.
and

iii) Mopping up revenues for the State Exchequer
by empowering Government to hike processing fees for Appeals under the Preservation of Trees Act, 1984. The additional revenues so generated would be eventually ploughed back to the forestry sector to enhance green cover of the State.

Administrative Reforms:
i) Two Forest Sub-Divisions have been created in both territorial divisions of the state with headquarters at Canacona, Quepem (South) and Mapusa, Ponda (North) These sub-division would be headed by Sub-Divisional Forest Officers, of the rank of ACF's. This administrative decision has been given a legal back up by the amendment of the Preservation of Trees Act, whereby ACF's can despose many of the decisions which hitherto could be done only at Divisional Head Quarters. This measure is expected to substantially help the local people to get clearance from the forest department at the sub divisional level and is a significant step towards delegation of powers.

ii) The Public Grievance Redressal System has been effectively revamped at the forest headquarters. A Public Grievance Officers has been appointed for the department who will be available always in the headquarters and the first working day of every month has been set apart for this purpose. Newspaper adversement also has been given for the same.

iii) Revival of Parks and Gardens all over the state have received fillip under the New Goverment. All administrative decisions for beautifying Ana Fonte Spring at Margao have been completed. Works have already started for starting six new Parks for Children in different cities of the State. Works of renovation of Children's Park at Campal has already commenced.

iv) Eco tourism also has received top priority of the Government in line with its vowed policy of encouraging "hinterland tourism" in the state which has become over saturated with "Beach Tourism". Decision has already been taken to set up new eco-tourism cottage at various Wildlife Sanctuaries. The eco-tourism Cottages at Bondla have been given a facelift. Catering facilities have been started in Campal and these facilities are being strengthened on the famous Dudhsagar trail. Efforts are on to transfer the Tourism Resort at Mollem under GTDC to the forest department to run it on lines of sustainable and ecologically friendly tourism.

v) Information Technology-Most of the staff of the forest department have been given training in Information Technology. The department has started using the Total Station (Modern survey instrument), GPS, Plotter etc. The latest GIS Software is likely to be purchased soon.

vi) Centrally sponsored schemes have been monitored with increased intensity. Programme for conservation of moisture and soil especially in hilly areas have been taken up under the Western Ghat Development Programme. In Forest Protection, one new truck fitted with water tank for fire control has been procured. About 1,000 hectares of forest fire lines have been traced. Communication using wireless and mobile telephones have been stepped. The Central Mobile Squad has been strenghtened at the forest headquarters to ensure early detection of offences and expedite enquiries/investigations.

vii) Wildlife Conservation: has received impetus during this period. In a small state like Goa, it requires considerable technical expertise and unfailing commitment from the department and unflinching support from the Government to reconcile the conflicting interests of Wildlife Preservation and security of people's lives and properties. It has been ensured that animal-human confrontation has been minimised during the period through activities and prompt interventions of the department. In some cases, wild elephants were chased off from agricultural fields by scaring or cattle lifting leopards were tranquilized before physical removal from inhabited areas. In the matter of turtle conservation, the State of Goa have made its appearance on the global map and has gained international recognition. In the rehabilition of displaced villagers at Nandran Village, the Government have moved with exceptional alacrity and provided the huge financial outlay expeditiously.

viii) XIIth All India Forest Sports Meet: XIIth All India Forest Sports Meet was successfully organised in Goa from 10th to 14th February 2004, in which 1700 participants from 23 states / UTs and 8 Government of India Institutions under the Ministry of Environment and Forest took part. In all, 137 events of indoor and field games were held.

ix) Joint Forest Management: Notification on Joint Forest Management and the Forest Development Agency has been issued by the Government. 3 Forest Development Agencies namely North Goa Forest Development Agency, South Goa Forest Development Agency and Wildlife Forest Development Agency have been constituted. This would allow the greater participation of the local people in the forestry sector.