A community-led environmental and cultural outreach march organised by Prasad Gawade officially commenced today, June 13, traversing a critical route through the ecologically sensitive border regions of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
Spanning four days from June 13 to June 16, the foot march seeks to foster grassroots dialogue, document local conservation concerns and to strengthen solidarity among communities living in and around the Western Ghats.
Among those participating in the padyatra is Francis Coelho, a core member of the Enough is Enough movement, who has joined fellow citizens, environmental advocates and local residents in the march aimed at highlighting the need to protect the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
Coelho has also called upon local residents across Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra to join the movement and participate in the padyatra at any stage of its journey, stressing that the protection of the region’s land, forests, water resources and cultural identity requires collective community action.
The padyatra is rooted in a shared commitment to safeguarding the land, forests and water resources that have been preserved and protected by generations of local communities. Organisers have emphasised the need to remain vigilant in the face of increasing pressures from outside interests, particularly unchecked real estate-driven development that threatens fragile ecosystems, traditional livelihoods and the cultural character of the region.
Saturday 13th June 2026
09:00 AM:
Commencement of the Padyatra from Kanakumbi.
12:00 PM – 01:00 PM:
Mid-day march phase through Keri, engaging local environmental stakeholders.
06:00 PM:
Arrival at Karapur for evening community outreach.
Sunday, 14 June:
Karapur to Kudase via Dodamarg
07:00 AM – 09:00 AM:
Morning march phase originating from Karapur.
11:00 AM:
Arrival in Dodamarg, followed by the Dodamarg–Bhedshi–Sateli Padyatra segment.
05:00 PM – 07:00 PM:
Arrival at Kudase for a public interaction and community dialogue session.
Monday, 15 June:
Shirwal to Tamboli
08:00 AM – 11:00 AM:
Padyatra through the Shirwal–Kolzar–Talkat belt.
04:00 PM:
Evening outreach and march phase linking Asniye and Tamboli villages.
Tuesday, 16 June:
Tamboli to Dabhil (Mauli)
08:00 AM:
Resumption of the march from Tamboli.
09:00 AM:
Arrival at Banda.
10:00 AM:
Interaction with participants connected through social media, followed by a collective Padyatra from Banda to Vilavade.
05:00 PM:
Culmination of the four-day march at Dabhil (Mauli).
The schedule may be subject to change depending on weather conditions. In the event of heavy rainfall, programme timings and route segments may be revised.
