Official plans to boost conservation efforts
PANAJI
Nearly 58 years after Goa notified its first protected area, the State’s five Wildlife Sanctuaries and one National Park now have formal management plans. The Wildlife Management Plans (WMPs) for 2023–24 lay out a 10-year strategy focusing on artificial waterholes, planting of fruit-bearing and fodder species, and using animal-friendly conservation methods.
At a recent meeting, the State Wildlife Board approved the WMPs for the Bondla, Netravali, Mhadei, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuaries, and the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
The WMPs for Bondla, Cotigao and Netravali will be in place until 2033, while those for Bhagwan Mahaveer and Mhadei will run until 2034.
Sources said the WMP for the Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, which was originally drafted in 2013–14, has been given an extension for 2023–24. A fresh plan is being prepared.
Goa’s first wildlife sanctuary, Bhagwan Mahaveer at Mollem in Dharbandora, was declared in 1967.
Sources said the implementation of the new plans has already started. The focus is on several wildlife-friendly measures, including reducing human-animal conflict.
Key features include creating artificial waterholes and increasing water availability, preserving natural vegetation, and replacing acacia trees with fruit-bearing and fodder plants that are useful for animals.
Acacia trees, which are considered less useful for wildlife, will be removed gradually over the next five years to make space for more suitable species.
The Mhadei WMP is being prepared by Dr Nitin Sawant from Goa University. The plan for Mollem has been drafted by Sujit Kumar Dongre from the Centre for Environment Education (CEE), while Associate Professor Manoj Parab has prepared the plans for Bondla, Netravali and Cotigao.
The plans also include measures for animal health, soil conservation, stopping poaching, better patrolling, promoting eco-tourism, protecting endangered species, and marking the sanctuary boundaries.
Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, which covers 86 sq km, was set up in 1968. The core 107 sq km of Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary was notified as Mollem National Park in 1978. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 208 sq km, was declared a protected area in 1999. Bondla is the smallest, with an area of just 8 sq km.
