BICHOLIM: The Animal Rescue Squad (ARS) in Bicholim, an organisation working for the safety and rescue of wild animals said the new bypass from Walshi to Sarvan in Bicholim will affect the bio-diversity and wild animals in the area including snakes.
It is pertinent to note that the four-lane bypass is coming up from Walshi to Narayan Zantye College at Sarvan. The cutting of trees is underway and the road will take shape in the next few years.
“Not only snakes are affected because of cutting of trees but also some other animals such as palm civet take shelter in the nearby houses. The big question is if there is no jungle where will they go,” ARS chief, Amrut Singh asked.
He said owl and honeybees are affected due to the deforestation. “We are not against development but a study should be conducted of the area and it should be seen how very few trees are affected,” Singh said.
“At Walshi, we have rescued several snakes and other animals following deforestation. It is difficult to relocate them as we have to take into consideration their habitat,” he said.
He feels that there was no need for such massive road by cutting the trees. “There is a need to save the forest for posterity. The government should consider the plan to relocate the trees rather than cut them.”
He said, “The wild trees are also important and the departments should also consider these facts.”
