PANAJI
There is a popular horror story on the internet that begins with a chilling premise: ‘You are the last human left on Earth, sitting alone in a silent house, when suddenly there is a knock at the door.’
Yet the real horror may not be a world without humans, but a world where only humans remain, and all other life has vanished. Our lives are intertwined with hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Imagine a Goan monsoon without the croaking of a frog, or nights without fireflies. If Goa’s biodiversity could speak, what would it say about the rampant destruction happening around?
The International Day for Biological Diversity reminds us to act for the future. Even small acts of neglect, like wasting water or electricity, contribute to environmental harm, underscoring the urgent need to protect the diversity that sustains our lives.
Why biodiversity matters
By definition, biodiversity is an umbrella term for all living species, from invisible bacteria to visible creatures, including humans and the ecosystems they form. Dr Pradip Sarmokadam, Member Secretary of the Goa State Biodiversity Board, sheds light on the importance of Goa’s biodiversity, the challenges it faces, and the measures we could take to ensure its preservation. “Everything comes under biodiversity, right from the tiny seeds to the largest of living beings, fruits, flowers included,” he states. “However, the Biological Diversity Act does not control everything because it is very specific; the forest department looks over the forest, the marine department looks after the marine life, and so on,” he adds.
Located on the western coast with the Western Ghats, a biodiversity and ecological hotspot, meanders its way through Goa, the resultant biodiversity doesn’t just need preservation and protection but also a future that guarantees its existence. “The Biodiversity Board,” mentions Dr Sarmokadam, “sets up a committee in every village and creates a diversity register. Additionally, it is in charge of regularising and restricting the commercial exploitation of rare and uncommon flora or fauna.”
Threats closing in
However, with the challenges it faces, the day is not far when that horror story may turn into a reality. For Goa, whose daily activities are largely dependent on the biodiversity, such as farming, fishing, etc, the impending threat to the State’s biological diversity is indeed a cause for concern. “The population is growing quickly. However, the number of people taking on farming is fewer, thus leading to a decline in production, while the demand keeps increasing. The quantity of resources is falling short. Global warming is increasing, and so are the temperatures, leading to irreversible climate change. There is land depletion, pollution, and climate change, among others,” states Dr Sarmokadam. Rampant development, deforestation, and loss of habitats are just some of the factors that challenge the very existence and survival of Goa’s biodiversity.
A shared responsibility
If the damage continues at this rate, the future looks bleak. However, all hope is not lost. The Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan aims to do its bit in conserving. The board has formulated the Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, where the strategy to safeguard Goa’s biodiversity and the actions to be taken have been planned. “The theme this year is ‘Acting Locally for global impact’, thus, we encourage the conservation of biodiversity through local livelihood,” he adds.
While the government is trying, the efforts are never one-way. “Even the people should be responsible. We do enforce guidelines and restrictions, but people don’t always follow them. We have a fishing restriction as well now for the next 2 months. However, at one place we had to resort to calling the police, but that is not possible each time. That’s why it is a 2-way process. The people should also do their part,” he remarks.
That famous horror story ends with a mysterious knock at the door. However, the story of biodiversity is still being written. Whether future generations inherit a Goa alive with birds, fireflies, forests, and thriving ecosystems, or one where nature is seen only in photographs and memories, will depend on the choices made today. As Goa continues to grow and change, preserving its biodiversity remains essential to ensuring that the State's natural heritage endures for generations to come.
