PANAJI
Goa’s protected areas -- Cotigao, Bondla, Mhadei, Netravali and Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuaries -- are finally going to have their first ever Wildlife Management Plans (WMPs).
This will be a ten year plan that will spell out scientific management of these protected areas, which were notified almost five-decades back. The WMPs are expected to be finalised next month.
Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is the only protected area that has got WMP in place. The WMPs of the other protected areas, which are currently in the drafting stage, will give a better picture with regards to activities that are allowed, restricted and prohibited by adopting animal-friendly conservation methods. The plans, which were expected to be in place in June, have been delayed.
The Goa Forest Development Corporation Ltd (GFDCL) is the nodal agency for preparing the plan following directions from the Chief Wildlife Warden. The WMP for Mhadei is being prepared by Dr Nitin Sawant of Goa University while Sujit Kumar Dongre of Centre for Environment Education (CEE) is working on Mollem and for Bondla it is Dr Nand Kumar Sawant and Dr Nandini Vaz of Chowgule College.
Sources informed that following directions from the Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane, the department is working on a comprehensive policy and management plan to ensure effective implementation of WMPs, once they are finalised and approved by the government.
Sources admitted that ever since the wildlife sanctuaries were notified, these protected areas were managed without any comprehensive management plan, which is mandatory as per the Wildlife Protection Act. “The failure to have a proper management policy led to rampant encroachments, animal-human conflicts, poaching, etc,” sources said.
Sources explained that the plan will focus on health of the wildlife along with soil conservation, no poaching, extensive patrolling, eco-tourism, protection to endangered species, boundary demarcation, etc.
The Forest Minister had recently declared the State’s plan of involving external agencies in managing the forest properties including wildlife sanctuaries and zoo. According to Rane, the approach will facilitate proper management and enable the State to deliver high-quality services.
The Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, spread across 86 sq kms was set up in 1968. The Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, spread across a 240 sq km area in Dharbandora taluka, were declared as wildlife sanctuaries (WLS) in 1969. The core area of the sanctuary covering 107 sq km (41 sq miles) was notified as Mollem National Park in 1978.
Spread across 208 sq km, the Mhadei WLS was declared as protected area in 1999. The Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is hardly 8 sq km.
