Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI)

Dawn was just moments away. A misty valley below heralded the arrival of winter even as a Jungle fowl cackled away to glory. At 800 mts above sea level from my vantage point, I could see my forests of the Mhadei stir up from their daily slumber. Having lit a small bonfire to prepare tea, I readied myself for another day and pondered about my chances of yet another chance encounter with a life form that would intrigue me, perhaps leave me beleaguered and thinking. It has been over a decade and more in these wild tracts, and yet, every single day there is a new feast for my eyes, a new design of nature to be admired and watched with awe.

The biodiversity of the Mahdei and its varied niche ecosystems besides being rich is very fragile and unique in every sense of the word. From the description of new species to range extension and new records, unique behavior, and interesting assemblages of plant and animal life, the Mahdei has it all. It is therefore an ecosystem that requires constant monitoring and conservation. Aspects of biodiversity documented here show strong linkages to the Northern Western Ghats, the Southern Western Ghats, North east-northeast India and even Sri Lanka!

It is this biodiversity-the sum of all living beings and their habitats that need our attention today in this hour of peril. It is a known fact that the Mahdei Diversion project will contribute to the alteration and loss of biodiversity of this region thanks to human interference in the course of the intrinsic river network that support these forests and its biodiversity.

As we are aware, the year 2010 has been declared a Year of Biodiversity by the UN Assembly. It is a time for action. We in Goa should unanimously demand that our elected representatives and Government agencies strongly voice their opinions on this matter before it is too late. With an area that is now recognized as a tiger habitat by wildlife researchers across the country, an established Important Bird Area, and, a region from where new species of amphibians have been described to world science, this region is already acknowledged by wildlife biologists as well as conservationists as an area of biological wealth, i.e. a biological hotspot.

It would be worthwhile for the Goa Biodiversity Board to acknowledge the same at the earliest to strengthen the status of this region. The need to commission projects and studies that document and catalog  this diversity is essential. The Central Empowered Committee needs to give given proof of the various aspects of endemic and threatened species of the region and this can only be done with the help of state agencies and independent research organizations and individuals working in the state.

Similarly, the Goa Wildlife Advisory Board must meet at the earliest and pass a resolution demanding an Environment Impact Assessment on the Mahdei Wildlife sanctuary due to the diversion of waters of the river upstream.

The Central Government needs to be petitioned by our State Government on counts of irreversible loss of endemic biodiversity and alteration of prime Western Ghats forests due to the projects that have commenced in Kankumbi in Karnataka and Virdi in Maharashtra.

As lay citizens, we have a right to write to our Member of Parliaments and to the Forest Minister Mr. Jairam Ramesh to look into this pressing matter where the water security of the state of Goa is at stake as the Mahdei is Goa’s lifeline. Through schools, colleges, and public forums, let us go that one step ahead and give priority to an issue that needs urgent attention. Legal expertise, networking, and ground research cut across political party lines, religion, and other barriers to unite and act for the welfare of our state and its forests.

This year, let us celebrate the Year of biodiversity by dedicating ourselves to the cause of the Mahdei and the unique biodiversity it supports and sustains. Let us take steps that will lead to concrete action and conserve forests that are now vital for supporting our already depleting water resources. Together we can and we will make a difference. Keep the faith.

— By Nirmal Kulkarni

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I am a wildlife ecologist working in the Western Ghats of the states of Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. Contact me at Ophidian_nirmal@yahoo.co.in. Blog: http://www.goawildwatch.blogspot.com/, http://www.wildernest-goa.com/, http://www.swapnagandha.com/.