PANJIM: An awareness programme on the notification and future scope of wetlands in the State of Goa was held on Wednesday that was organised by the Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA) in association with Goa State Biodiversity Board.
Environment Minister Nilesh Cabral said it is the responsibility of every individual to preserve the water bodies on the earth for the future generation.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“Water conservation is the need of the hour,” he said. Waterlands should be preserved keeping in mind the need for the future generation. Goa is a happy State and there is not much water scarcity but we should plan for the future by preserving biodiversity,” said Cabral.
“For a better future if we don’t come forward to preserve nature then who will, he questioned and appealed to act responsibly. We should not lose what is given to us by mother earth. All together 49 wetlands in the State will be notified,” he added.
He further pointed out that the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has prepared a detailed report about Goa’s wetlands, which will be uploaded on GSWA’s website soon.
The biodiversity management committees of Curti Khandepar, Chodan Marcel and Korgao panchayats and the Anjuna Organic Farmers Society were all felicitated for restoration of water bodies. Eight Wetland Mitras were also recognised and the wetland board at Nanda Lake, Kakoda was unveiled.
Dr Mandar Nanajkar, Scientist, CSIR – NIO also gave a presentation on the identification of Wetlands in the State of Goa. Minal Dessai, assistant professor, Department of Zoology, Goa University was one of the other main speakers.
Dr Pradip Sarmokadam, Member Secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board listed the six notified wetlands and said this is a significant step to conserve, manage and to maintain the ecological character of the wetlands without curtailing and restricting the legitimate and wise use of these ecosystems. “Nanda lake is under process for being considered as a wetland of international importance under Ramsar conservation. It also became the first lake to be notified in the State of Goa,” he added.
