PANAJI
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday announced that the Vagheri hill, which is part of the Western Ghats in Goa, will be declared as a protected area, along with salt pans and hilly slopes.
Addressing a press conference after a review meeting with officials to discuss steps for the protection of forests and the conservation of wildlife, Rane said that Vagheri hill, which is located near Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, will be declared a protected area.
“If not, we will extend the boundaries of the wildlife sanctuary upto Vagheri hill. The hill is already declared as an eco-sensitive area with complete ban on all sorts of constructions,” Rane said.
The Minister also said that the department, which is currently undertaking survey of salt pans, is in process of declaring salt pans and hilly slopes, across the State as protected. “These are the things which are under discussion,” he said.
Following the recent death of leopard and crocodile attack on female, Rane announced to undertake detailed population and ecological study of higher animals including Indian Gaur, leopard and also to map the crocodile population and create necessary awareness among the people through local bodies.
The Minister admitted increasing human-animal conflicts and said that leopard presence close to human habitation is an all India scenario. He also said that the government has failed to undertake mapping of animal corridors and hence there is no clarity on movement of wild animals like tiger.
The department will also be launching the ‘Save Frog Campaign’ to create awareness with regards to killing of frogs, which is a protected species and a criminal offence under wildlife protection act.
The department will set up Rapid Response Team and Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation centre within the wildlife sanctuary.
