State's first biodiversity plan focuses on climate resilience
Panaji:
The first ever Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (GSBSAP) draft has been released by govt for public consultation. The plan has been framed after a massive exercise with various sub-committees working under a 45-member committee.
The biodiversity plan not only documents the state's biodiversity in minute detail but also proposes a strategy to drive the conservation of the state's resources by linking them to livelihood for local populations. This is expected to give the local populations a further incentive to conserve.
The GSBSAP contains separate chapters on the conservation of the biodiversity of coastal, marine, and vulnerable ecosystems.
Dedicated chapters address sustainable development planning for rural and urban areas, climate change, traditional knowledge, mid-plains, forest areas, and agri biodiversity among others.
The sub-committee on wetlands and water bodies has said that a sea level rise could pose a threat to Goa's mangroves. 'The average sea level rise trends in Goa has seen an increase at the rate of 1.45mm per year from the period of 1969-2013,' the draft said.
It said if this affects the mangroves, nesting sites of species like olive ridley turtles will be lost and the mangrove forest ecosystem will change due to the loss of saline-intolerant species.
The sub-committee on avifauna has said that due to climate change, Goa has become vulnerable to forest fires which pose a threat to bird habitats such as those on Pilerne and Socorro plateaus.
Drought-tolerant crops/crop varieties appropriate for Goa should be promoted, the sub-committee on climate change has recommended.
'Despite significant progress in the agricultural sector, climate extremes periodically result in losses to livelihoods and yields that produce distress in the farming community,' the draft said. 'Hence long-term measures are needed to develop climate-resilient agriculture production systems that can contribute to food security and poverty reduction.'
The Goa State Biodiversity Board will keep the plan open for public suggestions and objections till July 22. The draft has been made available on the board's website, member secretary of the board Pradip Sarmokadam has said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
State's first biodiversity plan focuses on climate resilience
Panaji: The first ever Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (GSBSAP) draft has been released by govt for public consultation. The plan has been framed after a massive exercise with various sub-committees working under a 45-member committee. The biodiversity plan not only documents the state's biodiversity in minute detail but also proposes a strategy to drive the conservation of the state's resources by linking them to livelihood for local populations. This is expected to give the local populations a further incentive to conserve. The GSBSAP contains separate chapters on the conservation of the biodiversity of coastal, marine, and vulnerable ecosystems. Dedicated chapters address sustainable development planning for rural and urban areas, climate change, traditional knowledge, mid-plains, forest areas, and agri biodiversity among others. The sub-committee on wetlands and water bodies has said that a sea level rise could pose a threat to Goa's mangroves. 'The average sea level rise trends in Goa has seen an increase at the rate of 1.45mm per year from the period of 1969-2013,' the draft said. It said if this affects the mangroves, nesting sites of species like olive ridley turtles will be lost and the mangrove forest ecosystem will change due to the loss of saline-intolerant species. The sub-committee on avifauna has said that due to climate change, Goa has become vulnerable to forest fires which pose a threat to bird habitats such as those on Pilerne and Socorro plateaus. Drought-tolerant crops/crop varieties appropriate for Goa should be promoted, the sub-committee on climate change has recommended. 'Despite significant progress in the agricultural sector, climate extremes periodically result in losses to livelihoods and yields that produce distress in the farming community,' the draft said. 'Hence long-term measures are needed to develop climate-resilient agriculture production systems that can contribute to food security and poverty reduction.' The Goa State Biodiversity Board will keep the plan open for public suggestions and objections till July 22. The draft has been made available on the board's website, member secretary of the board Pradip Sarmokadam has said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
Ratna Bhandar restoration to be over by July 8: Minister
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Govt has set a deadline to finish restoration work of Jagannath Temple's Ratna Bhandar (treasury) by Neeladri Bije, to be celebrated on July 8, marking the end of this year's Rath Yatra. The repair work, which commenced on Dec 17, 2024, has been on hold at present due to Chandan Yatra. Sources said work is set to resume on June 28, a day after Rath Yatra when the deities will be at Gundicha temple. The sibling deities will return to the sanctum sanctorum on July 8. "Restoration work is on hold since April 29 to facilitate the smooth conduct of Chandan Yatra. The ASI will resume and expedite the work after the deities' departure from the Jagannath Temple's garbha gruha (sanctum sanctorum) on Rath Yatra on June 27. We expect that the work will be over by Neeladri Bije," law minister Prithiviraj Harichandan said on Sunday. ASI officials intend to work 7-8 hours daily while the deities are away. "Previously, we were restricted to a maximum of two hours of repair work every day to accommodate the deities' daily rituals," an ASI functionary said. Between Dec 17, 2024 and April 28, 2025, the ASI completed about 200 hours of repair work on the Ratna Bhandar, which was reopened by the govt on July 14, 2024, after 46 years, for urgent restoration. The minister indicated that the restoration is progressing systematically to ensure the structure remains stable for the next hundred years. ASI reports indicate work on the inner chamber is nearly over, with floor renovation pending. The damaged flooring will be replaced with Khondalite stone. Five damaged inner chamber beams have been substituted with stainless steel alternatives. Work on the outer chamber is nearing completion, including replacement of damaged stone and exterior repairs.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Time of India
State will introduce scheme to revive salt pans, says CM
Panaji: Chief minister Pramod Sawant said that state govt will introduce a new scheme to revive salt pans in Goa. The scheme will be implemented through the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB), said Sawant at the International Day for Biodiversity 2025 event at Sanquelim. He felicitated various individuals and communities for their initiatives in biodiversity conservation. 'From khazan farming to kulagars and sacred groves, biodiversity is deeply rooted in Goa's heritage. Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs), supported by the GSBB, continue to play a pivotal role in preserving our unique ecosystems through local action and community involvement. We will revive salt pans in Goa in collaboration with CSMCRI Bhavnagar and experts like Savita Kerkar. Our focus will be on local bio-salt, livelihoods, and ecological restoration,' said Sawant. He said that GoVan multi-processing centres, utilising local natural produce, run by women have been made operational by the state in Kudne, Pissurlem, Bhironda, Mayem, Pilgao, Verna, Dabhal, Sulcorna and Uguem. He said two more centers are now coming up at Sancorda and Rivona. 'These units are professionally managed to benefit women, farmers and rural entrepreneurs. Goa govt is committed to aligning biodiversity conservation with livelihood generation and sustainable development,' said Sawant.
