Biodiversity heritage sites in Goa: A novel scheme

With the advent of frenzied infrastructure development in Goa, the impacts on the landscape with a consequent rapid depletion of flora and fauna are being reported on a daily basis. So as to minimise floral and faunal degradation, the Biological Diversity Act 2002 was enacted with the express objective to ensure conservation and development of areas of importance from the standpoint of biological diversity and protection and rehabilitation of threatened species. The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) acts as an apex body dealing with conservation of biological species, sustainable use of its components and fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use of biological resources. The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) is the custodian of state biodiversity and advises the government on conservation, sustainable use, documentation, and knowledge related to biodiversity. The Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) operate at the village level under guidance from GSBB. The BMCs are required to prepare Peoples’ Biodiversity Register (PBR) containing comprehensive information on local biological resources.

Biological diversity means the variability among living organisms from all sources, including inter alia, terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems. One of the key components of the BDA 2002 is the identification of sensitive ecosystems by declaring them as biodiversity heritage sites (BHS).These are well defined areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems   terrestrial, coastal and inland waters and, marine having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more components: a. Areas that contain a mosaic of natural, semi-natural, and man-made habitats; b. Areas that contain significant domesticated biodiversity component and/or representative agro-ecosystems; c. Areas that are significant from a biodiversity point of view as also cultural spaces; d. Areas, including very small ones, that offer refuge or corridors for threatened and endemic fauna and flora; e. All kinds of legal land uses; f. Sites which are not covered under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972; g. Areas that provide habitats, aquatic or terrestrial, for seasonal migrant species for feeding and breeding; h. Areas that are maintained as preservation plots by the forest department; i. Medicinal plant conservation areas (Source: BDA 2002). The GSBB has identified three such sites.

The Curtorim lake complex offers a majestic geomorphological setting. The intricate landscape is oriented north-south, about 3.7 km in length, and can be subdivided into four morphological units: (1) The Raitolem lake in the south with an area of 130.000 sq m is a perennial water body and supplies water to the entire system downstream; the traditional cultivars exist on the western side; (2) a field/wetland where paddy is cultivated twice a year is linked to Raitolem lake; (3) the Curtorim lake in front of the church occupies 115.000 sq m; this sector functions as lake–paddy field–fish pond; (4) a functional sluice gate separates the lake from the terraced low paddy fields that culminate at the Zuari river bank in the north. The ecosystem services of this natural network are functioning to this day, and represent one of the finest examples of agro-industry of yester years. Santana Rodrigues, a staunch conservationist, and his BMC, has documented detailed photographic evidence of a large assemblage of floral and faunal species in this area. The GSBB considers this site a fit case as a biodiversity heritage location.

At Kevan in Rivona, a beautiful white flowered plant resembling tuberose was discovered a decade ago. This species grows on lateritic rock grasslands during monsoons. It consists of underground bulbs resembling small onions. These bulbs sprout with the onset of monsoons and produce white flowers and fruits; by the end of August the parts of plants above ground die off. The plant survives as underground bulb till next monsoon. While in full bloom, the plant offers a wonderful sight during July-August. This flora was scientifically documented by botanists of Goa University, led by Prof MK Janarthanam who named it “Dipcadi goaense”, after the State of Goa, in 2009. Research has indicated that the plant is found only in Rivona and nowhere in the world.  Since this endangered floral species is unique to Goa, conservation efforts have to be intensified. 

Chicalim bay is a part of the second largest tidal flat within the estuaries of Goa. It constitutes a rich biological legacy;  this bay is not only a habitat but also a breeding ground for window pane oyster (placuna placenta), declared a threatened species under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The site is also a habitat for diverse marine fauna such as pistol shrimps, clams and fiddler crabs being most prominent. The NIO has confirmed that Chicalim bay is rich in marine biodiversity and a home to over 200 marine species that need to be protected and conserved. The windowpane oyster (Placuna placenta) is a bivalve marine mollusc; they are edible, but valued more for the shells (and the rather small pearls). Dr Baban Ingole and team have researched this topic; being the biggest asset of the village from a marine faunal perspective, the GSBB is adopting Chicalim bay as a biodiversity heritage site.

This article projects an elementary idea related to agro-biodiversity of 3 different morphological sites, one marine and two terrestrial, with special emphasis on the conservation of natural resources. Various aspects related to the distribution, richness and diversity of flora and fauna at each of the proposed sites are being documented by the respective BMCs in collaboration with the GSBB. If these proposals reach a logical conclusion, this will be a first effort towards the conservation of bio-resources in the form of biodiversity heritage sites in Goa.

(Dr Antonio Mascarenhas is a former NIO Scientist)