Goa not on heritage tag for Western Ghats

Goa not on heritage tag for Western Ghats

Oct 19, 2011, 01.52AM IST

PANAJI: The Goa government has dropped an opportunity to get the state's stretch of the Western Ghats inscribed as a world heritage site.

Thirty-nine serial sites in the ghats passing through four states-Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra-are included in India's nomination dossier submitted last year to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Paris. No sites in Goa and Gujarat are mentioned.

"The team involved in preparing the dossier tried to include the sites in Goa," a source told TOI on Tuesday, "But the Goa government did not agree with the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) during the nomination process. The inclusion of the Goa site would have added value to the entire dossier." Lack of interest in the inscription process resulted in the Goa range being left out of the list.

When contacted, state chief wildlife warden and additional principal chief conservator of forests Shashi Kumar said, "I am not aware of any proposal, but it may have been routed through some other department."

Interestingly, on September 15 and October 17 this year, the MoEF held meetings in New Delhi to discuss issues related to the nomination dossier. This is because India's proposal is on hold due to technical reasons. The chief wildlife wardens of all six states were expected to attend the same. Goa was unrepresented at both meetings, sources said.

From P1

Denying he had received any invitation to attend the meetings, Shashi Kumar said, "Nobody, nor any representative, has gone from here (Goa)." He declined to comment further. Activists countered. "He was telephonically reminded about the meetings by an activist," said a source.

Environmentalists are not surprised by the government apathy. "There is a dearth of ecological prudence prevailing in our political leadership and bureaucracy," said marine zoologist Manoj Borkar. "The government cannot see beyond economic value. And the situation is worsened by the politicians' indifference and people's ignorance," he said.

Claude Alvares of NGO Goa Foundation agreed, "The government is not committed in the matter. The Western Ghats hold a lot of iron ore, and even though it is low grade, it can be exported."

Greens say Goa's case can still be presented before the world heritage committee. "The deadline for the revision of India's existing 'Tentative List of Properties' is January 2012. Goa can still be included," a source said.

Activists feel Goa's inclusion is crucial as the state has over 750 sq km of integrated, protected area network. "Goa is the only western state in India to protect its entire Western Ghats range," said herpetologist Nirmal Kulkarni.

The protected areas of Mhadei, Bhagwaan Mahaveer in Molem, Bondla, Neturlim and Cotigao in the Sahyadris, as the Western Ghats are referred to in this region, comprise 20.5% of its entire geographical area. Combined with Bhimgad wildlife sanctuary and the project tiger reserves of Dandeli wildlife sanctuary and Anshi national park in Karnataka, the Goa stretch forms a solid corridor of 2,000 sq km for wildlife.

Activists are aware about the global limelight and attention the heritage status will usher in. "This is important for conservation and research as lesser known species can be studied," Kulkarni said.

D J Bhat, head, botany department, Goa University, concurred, "Goa is very rich in biodiversity. Despite mining and development there are pockets which are still intact, especially from Molem to Dudhsagar, Mhadei region, and Sanvordem to Dudhsagar." Much of the bio-wealth in terms of flora and fauna lies unexplored too. "There are also quite a few fungal species which are not reported," he said.