PANAJI
Poriem MLA, Deviya Rane on Monday made a strong case for developing the wildlife sanctuaries, bird sanctuary and Mollem National Park to tap the tourism potential by developing nature trails, camping sites and such other adventure options.
Speaking in support of the demands for grants pertaining to the forest department held by her husband Vishwajit Rane, the Poriem MLA said the Bondla zoo also needs an upgrade.
Deviya, who is also the Forest Development Corporation chief, urged the government to tap Central government funds to finance the suggested upgrades even as she questioned the neglect of the vast areas under forest control which host a significant portion of the State's deteriorating cashew crop cover.
She made a case of allocating financial support to the GFDC to help maintain and scientifically manage cashew plantations under the jurisdiction of forests to improve yields.
Meanwhile, the Poriem MLA voiced strong objection to the move of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to notify over 90 villages in Goa as eco-sensitive areas along the Western Ghats.
Referring to the recent draft notification of the MoEF&CC, Rane said 56 of these 99 villages are in Sattari taluka and it is unrealistic to declare them eco-sensitive areas without first making local populations aware of what the notification entails in terms of the do's and don'ts.
"The people will have to be explained what development can be done and what cannot be done before the final notification is issued," Rane said, adding that already there is tension between officers of the forest department and local people in all the sanctuary and other forest areas across the State.
