PANAJI
On Monday, Goa became the first State in the country to ensure real time mapping and monitoring of various weather parameters to ascertain the impact of climate change on its biodiversity and wildlife with the installation of Automated Weather Stations (AWS) at five locations -- Mhadei, Mollem, Bondla, Netravali and Cotigao wildlife sanctuaries.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane said that AWS, installed with the technical support of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), will record atmospheric data including air temperature, barometric pressure, humidity, wind speed and direction, soil moisture, soil temperature and rainfall on a real time basis at 15 minute intervals.
He said that the data collected will be transmitted to a web portal with the help of a satellite.
“I am happy to announce that Goa is the first State in the country to place such an elaborate modern AWS for scientific management of forest and to study and ascertain impact of climate change on biodiversity of Western Ghats forests,” Rane said.
The Minister said “Goa is one of the pioneer States in the country to set up AWS in protected areas”.
According to the forest officials, the data collected from AWS will help the authorities in case of wildfire, landslides and other disasters.
The weather information will be recorded digitally and will be available on an app controlled by the state forest department.
The study will also enable the department to have a clear idea of the water deficient areas in the forests and will provide invaluable data for resolving problems like availability of water throughout the year for wildlife/soil and moisture conservation.
