Goa government encourages startups to solve environmental issues like Tarballs

Goa: IT minister Rohan Khaunte addressed the ‘one-week lab campaign’ at the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) Dona Paula and raised the disastrous situation that is happening to Goa’s marine life. The state government has identified plastics and additives as the main source of pollution that muddles with the ecosystem of marine life. The government has tried to come up with solutions however it has been unable to do so yet.

The government also relied on the environment department as well as the Goa state pollution control board for solutions but the situation has remained unchanged. Further pollution from the oil leakage by large ships in the Arabian sea which washes up on shores as tarballs is also a contributor to the current situation.

Taking this issue ahead, he called upon startups to come forward with innovative ideas to resolve these issues thereby helping improve the marine ecosystem. Only with the improvement in marine science and technology, he stated that extreme situations like the ‘Tarballs’ that have spread across the coastal belt of Goa and the neighboring states could be resolved. “Marine science in Goa will have a lot of problems and the ones with problem-solving ideas are the startups,” said Rohan Khaunte.”

India is emerging as a bright upcoming startup ecosystem with a great talent pool of young entrepreneurs who can help in finding solutions. Goa is focusing on creating a strong startup culture for potential entrepreneurs and investors. It is expected that the brainstorming sessions which will be held in NIO between entrepreneurs and the Ministry to come up with some solutions.

The IT Minister further announced of soon holding a ‘Hackathon’ at a national level which will revolve around issues related to the government sites in order to deal with the issues being faced by various government departments. Startups that will be able to provide innovative and problem-solving solutions will get the work orders for pilot projects. The state government will also conduct a series of sessions with speakers for startups who are to be groomed.