Western Ghats corridor protected area: Filipe Neri

MARGAO, DEC 22
Saying that the Western Ghats has been declared as one of the 18 biological hot spots of the world, Forest Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues has said the Goa government has declared the entire Western Ghats corridor as protected area on account of the rich bio-diversity in the region.
“We should be aware of the biological richness of our state and also be able to recognize the biological diversity in our own backyards. Only then, we can move ahead to preserve and conserve our biodiversity,” Filipe said, after inaugurating an exhibition of photographs titled “Bio-diversity of our Forests” in the foyer of Ravindra bhavan, Margao on Wednesday.
The forest minister appealed to the people to make use of this awareness programme so that they can respond adequately to the environmental crisis.
The photographs depict the flora and fauna of Goa in the varying aspects, namely bio-diversity of eco-systems, bio-diversity of species and bio-diversity within species.
“The richness of our bio-diversity can be vividly experienced as you walk among the exhibits. The photographs cover plants, plant parasites, epiphytes, flowers, fruits, fungi, insects, reptiles, birds, mammals etc”, he added.
Earlier, the first segment of the exhibition was inaugurated by Dr Shashi Kumar, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests on December 19 in the Art Gallery of Kala Academy.
The exhibition has been organized by the Research & Utilisation Division of the Forest department.