Goa is known world over as a tourist destination, but this fame is limited to its beaches. The State is more beautiful in the hinterlands and these hinterlands are richer than beaches. We need to preserve and also showcase this to the world.”
Rajendra Arlekar,
Minister for Environment & Forests
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Next bird festival will be on
every birders' list: Arlekar
Says Goa's 432 species of birds need to be showcase to the world
THE GOAN NETWORK
PONDA
Stating that Goa has a rich treasure of bio-diversity which should be showcased to the world, Forests and Environment Minister Rajendra Arlekar on Friday said the next bird festival in the State will be on the calendar of every birder in the world.
Arlekar was speaking after inaugurating the three-day ‘bird festival’ at Bondla Zoo. Sanvordem MLA Ganesh Gaonkar, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Ajai Saxena and DCF Anil Kumar were present on the occasion.
“Goa is known world over as a tourist destination, but this fame is limited to its beaches. The State is more than just beaches. It is more beautiful in the hinterlands and these hinterlands are richer than beaches. We need to preserve and also showcase this to the world,” Arlekar said.
“Goa has 432 species of birds and we will work to showcase these wonderful species to the world,” he added.
Ganesh Gaonkar also welcomed the idea of the bird festival in Goa. “This will help birders learn a lot about this pristine area,” he said.
Admitting that the number of delegates had been fewer than expected, Saxena said they would try and reach out to most birders and invite them for the next festival.
On the occasion, a photography contest was organised. Alisab Sheikh (first), Joshua D’Silva (second) and Utkarsh Betkekar (third) were declared the winners.
A Konkani book ‘Goenchi Savanni’ (Birds of Goa) penned by Harsha Shetye was also released by Arlekar during the function.
