The Goa Foundation has issued an urgent appeal to the Prime Minister, urging immediate intervention to halt a series of ecologically destructive projects threatening Goa’s protected wildlife areas and the Western Ghats. The Foundation, a leading environmental advocacy group, has highlighted several projects of grave concern: ongoing mineral ore operations in Kalay, a luxury tourism project in Surla, a proposed resort in Colem, and a fresh railway double-tracking proposal.
According to the Goa Foundation, these projects pose a direct threat to the Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park, the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary—all of which are critical for the preservation of the Western Ghats’ unique biodiversity. The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, are recognized globally for their rich flora and fauna and serve as a vital ecological corridor.
The Foundation argues that continued mining and large-scale tourism infrastructure development in these sensitive zones will lead to irreversible habitat loss, fragmentation of wildlife corridors, and degradation of water sources essential for both wildlife and local communities. The proposed railway double tracking, in particular, is flagged as a major threat, as it would cut through protected areas, increase human-wildlife conflict, and facilitate further industrialization and mining activity in the region.
In its appeal, the Goa Foundation has called for a comprehensive review of all clearances granted to these projects, emphasizing the need for strict adherence to environmental laws and the precautionary principle. The group insists that economic development must not come at the cost of Goa’s natural heritage and the ecological security of the Western Ghats. They urge the Prime Minister to prioritize conservation and sustainable development, warning that the destruction of these protected areas would have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity, climate resilience, and the well-being of future generations.