Team Herald
Panjim: Five more water-bodies in the State are set to be declared as ‘Wetlands’. Bondvoll lake that’s situated in St Cruz, was the first to be declared as a ‘Wetland’, as per the Union Environment Ministry’s rule.
In a draft notification that was issued recently, the Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA) has proposed to declare water bodies of Sarzora in Salcete, Toyyar lake in Chimbel, Dhashi Lake in Revora, Xeldem lake in Xeldem and Saulem lake in Pilerne as Wetlands.
As per the notification, these water-bodies are considered to be “critically significant” for its ecosystem service and biodiversity values for the local communities and society at large.
Sarzora lake has the largest area of over 1.69 lakh sq mtrs, followed by Saulem lake, which is one lakh sq mtrs.
Further, the Toyyar lake covers a total area of 51,000 sq mtrs, Dashi has an area of 28,000 sq mtrs and Xeldem lake comprises an area of 18,000 sq mtrs.
GSWA has invited public suggestions and objections to draft notification to be submitted within 60 days.
As per the Authority, 385 wetlands have been delineated, which have an area more than 5 hectares and 167 wetlands are less than 2.25 hectares. Moreover, there are 101 ‘Inland Wetlands’, wherein 29 are located in the North Goa district and 72 in the South Goa District; while there are another 282 ‘Coastal Wetlands’ – 112 in North Goa and 70 in South Goa.
