PANAJI
With human-animal conflicts on the rise, the Goa Forest Department has asked the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to carry out a systematic assessment of wildlife in areas outside protected zones in the State.
In an official letter to WII on July 10, Conservator of Forest Naveen Kumar noted that because of Goa’s high green cover, wildlife is no longer found only in forest areas but often enters human settlements.
“This widespread presence has led to a rise in human-animal conflict, causing losses to both human life and wildlife,” he said.
Kumar said the situation is alarming and needs a systematic study of all wildlife areas outside protected zones.
This move follows two leopard deaths in April. On April 27, a female black panther was killed after being hit by an unidentified vehicle in the Priol-Ponda range. Two days later, a two-year-old leopard that had strayed into a house in Villian village, Sanguem, near Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, and was rescued by forest officials, died of “internal injuries”.
The letter stresses the need for a detailed study to map conflict zones, identify animal corridors, map the vulnerability of various species, assess threats, and create proper plans to reduce conflict.
A preliminary discussion on the proposed collaboration was held with Dr Bilal Habib, Scientist-F at WII.
The department has asked WII to help prepare a concept note outlining the methods for tackling human-wildlife conflict and the financial requirements involved.
The Forest Department has requested WII to fast-track the proposal, stressing the need to act quickly in the interest of wildlife conservation in Goa.
