the goan I network
PANAJI
Goa got its first biodiversity heritage site with the State government notifying as such a 7,300 square-meter parcel of land at “Purvatli Rai” in Surla village. It is the first biodiversity heritage site notified by the Department of Environment under sub-section (1) of section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
The Local Biodiversity Management Committee had identified this heritage site while preparing its People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBR).
Environmentalists and activists congratulated the Biodiversity Management Committee of Surla and the Goa State Biodiversity Board for the move to notify the biodiversity heritage site.
Noted environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar had done immense work on the sacred groves in Goa. He has identified and listed around 90 such
sacred groves, which according to local lore are known by
various names such as Devrai, Devran or Pann.
The best preserved sacred groves of Goa are situated in Keri village of Sattari. These sacred groves are also found in Bicholim, Sattari, Sanguem, Quepem and Canacona taluka.
Ceylon Oak, Red silk cotton tree and Pipal tree are among the most commonly found plant species in these sacred groves.
Dr Manoj Borkar in his book on Sacred Groves says they best illustrate the traditional wisdom of ethnic settlers and their descendents.
They also best exemplify a rational and sustainable use of natural resources and uphold the spirit of community proprietary.
Interestingly this ethos negates “individual ownership” but imprints “collective responsibility” on the local community’s psyche.
