MARGAO
“It’s time for wetland restoration”, reverberated around the wetlands of Raia and Curtorim villages as Goa joined the country and the world to commemorate World Wetlands Day on Thursday.
In fact, the need to protect and conserve the wetlands took the centre stage as the Goa State Wetland Authority and the Goa State Biodiversity Board, Goa Bird Conservation network organised an Ecological Trail and Bird Watching in coordination with the Biodiversity Management Committees of Raia and Curtorim.
Students joined officials of the Wetland Authority and State Biodiversity Board and the villagers as they participated in the Bird Watching Trail at Bacbhatt lake at Raia before heading to the Handi Khuris, Curtorim early Thursday morning.
Goa has identified a total of around 42 wetlands, out of which eight have been notified as wetlands, even as Director, Environment, Dr Geeta Nagvenkar said process is underway to notify the remaining wetlands. “We have decided to commemorate the World Wetland Day on the field this time round instead of closed door premises. Students, who joined the bird watching trail got the opportunity to watch different species of birds.
“The bird watching trail helped the students not only to have a glimpse of the lakes, but the different birds and study minute details such as their tail, colour and heads. We have seen around nine new birds. The government is committed to restore the wetlands”, she said.
Member Secretary, State Biodiversity Board, Pradip Sarmokadam said the bird watching trail at Bacbhatt lake and Handi Khuris facilitated the students to have a look at the ducks, cranes and other species of migratory birds coming to these lakes from the Northern hemisphere. He stressed on the need to bring about awareness on wetland conservation in the state.
Chairman of Raia Biodiversity Management Committee Xavier Fernandes the wetlands are not only important in providing irrigation for the agricultural fields, but they protect the ecology, the flora and fauna of the areas. “The presence of migratory birds at the wetlands indicates the health of the habitat. It’s important that we all protect the ecology”, he said.
Social activist Rajiv Shinkre feared that the migratory birds form the northern hemisphere would stop coming to Goa if the wetlands are not protected and conserved for posterity. “Today, we came across different species of both local and migratory birds during the bird watching trail. The birds come to the wetlands to enjoy the climate. We have to protect the wetlands or else the environment and ecology will face further destruction”, he said.
Curtorim ZP member Michele Rebello said the Handi Khuris area of Maina-Curtorim plays host to a variety of migratory birds, and called for the protection of the wetlands.
