PANJIM: Goa’s Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem and Dr Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Chorao, are been identified as potential eco-tourism sites in the country, along with 88 others.
The Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has asked State to prepare a plan for each eco-tourism site for enhancing the objective of “potential of India as a global eco-tourism destination”.
It has also asked the State to demarcate eco-tourism zones after assessing management requirement of the target wildlife.
As per the Union Ministry guidelines “Sustainable Eco-tourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas 2021”, the eco-tourism can be developed in and round designated sites in the forest and wildlife-rich areas, having biological, geological and eco-heritage significance comparable to mangroves, sacred groves, mudflats, seashores, streams, wetlands, waterfalls, rivers, hills, caves, etc.
The Union Ministry in its note to States/Union Territories stated the “overall goal” of these guidelines is to promote a better understanding of nature and wildlife conservation along with “generating income and opportunities for the local communities in an ecologically, culturally and economically sustainable manner”.
Established in 1978, Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Mollem is 240 sq kms protected area located in the Western Ghat region in Dharbandora Taluka in South Goa.
Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary is an estuarine mangrove habitat, which is declared as the bird sanctuary in 1988. Located on western tip of Chorao island along the River Mandovi, is spread across 178 hectares .
The ministry has also said that these guidelines would be “applicable to eco-tourism sites falling in all forest and wildlife areas irrespective of the ownership of the land”.
The States are directed to demarcate the eco-tourism zone, after assessing management requirement of the target wildlife, the habitat or the geographical entity, and their behavioral and ecological traits.
“The zonation will also ensure that safeguards provided in the Forest Rights Act, 2006 are fully respected,” Ministry said.
“Any eco-tourism facility or structure on forest lands shall be subject to the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980. However, no permanent structure shall be made /constructed to create ecotourism facility/structure, but temporary structures/facilities made predominantly of natural material of local origin may be allowed in Protected Area or on forest land,” stated the Union Ministry.
