Team Herald

PANJIM: The State is in process of drafting Goa State Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, first in the country to prepare the plan based on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) has constituted a sub-committee comprising of 45 members to draft the plan in lines with the national biodiversity conservation plan.

GSBB Member Secretary Pradip Sarmokadam said that the plan will document State’s biodiversity in detail and also frame guidelines and strategies towards conservation of these resources taking local population on board.

“The idea is to drive conservation of our resources by linking it to means of livelihood,” he said.

The inputs for the plan are been sought from the public, biodiversity management committees, scientists, researchers among others.

The plan will also focus on streamlining various sectoral aspects to ensure sustainable use of natural resources; this ensures a better quality of life and the reduction in biodiversity loss.

As per the information, the plan will contain separate chapters on current status of biodiversity, threats, conservation of biodiversity of coastal, marine and vulnerable ecosystems, sustainable development planning, traditional knowledge, agro-biodiversity, climate change, etc.

Following submission of the draft plan by the sub-committee, the Board will hold consultation with the people of North and South Goa.