Latest news with #GoaStateBiodiversityStrategyandActionPlan
Time of India
18 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Mhadei water diversion to hit flow of Dudhsagar: Green plan
Panaji: The first ever Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (GSBSAP) draft, opened recently by the state for public consultation, confirms the fear long held by Goans. Experts, who have prepared the report have confirmed the imminent threat to Goa's majestic and multi-tiered Dudhsagar waterfall due to the proposed diversion of waters from the Mhadei tributaries by Karnataka. The plan states that the diversion will adversely impact the flow of water in the Dudhsagar river and the waterfall, which could alter the flora and fauna around it. 'Diversion of Mhadei will reduce the water in the waterfall, a threat to ecotourism and biodiversity around the Dudhsagar and waterfall. Availability of water for plants and animals will reduce and the aesthetic value of Dudhsagar waterfall will reduce,' the plan states. 'Availability of water for flora and fauna will reduce and competition for the bioresource will increase resulting in decrease in population. Change in prey and predator ratio and reduction in floral population.' Karnataka, which is actively working to divert the Kalasa and the Bandhura, has long held plans, from 1988, to divert 3.85tmc ft water from the Katla and the Palna tributaries of the Dudhsagar river. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Karnataka intends to divert this water into its Supa reservoir in Kali basin. Katla and Palna are the main tributaries that feed the Dudhsagar waterfalls. Karnataka is also eyeing another 1.06tmc ft water from other sources of the Dudhsagar for diversion into the Supa reservoir. Though Goa govt has already stated its objections to the plans and they have not been approved by the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal, during the 2014 assembly session, Karnataka stated its intentions to construct four dams in the upper reaches of the Dudhsagar on the Katla, the Palna, the Diggi-Marra and the Diggi-Bondeli. Experts in the Goa biodiversity plan have now recommended that firstly more research be carried out to understand the Dudhsagar waterfall and Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Mollem. They have acknowledged that more research is required on Mhadei and its catchment area as well. Dudhsagar waterfalls in Mollem attracts lakhs of domestic and foreign tourists every year, which offers the primary source of livelihood for the locals living in surrounding villages. 'Assessment of research and review papers about Mhadei and the wildlife sanctuary needed in collaboration between educational institutions and involvement of National Institute of Oceanography,' states the plan.
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- 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.
