Demand for Declaration of Goa Sanctuaries as Tiger Reserve | 10 Jan 2020

Why in News

Activists and politicians from Goa have demanded that certain areas in wildlife sanctuaries of the state be notified as a tiger reserve.

  • In 2017, the State government had proposed about 500 sq km area of Mahadayi, Netravali and Cotigao sanctuaries with some part of Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary to be marked as a tiger reserve.
  • Recent deaths of four tigers in Mahadayi wildlife sanctuary has brought the demand again in the scenario.

Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Goa bounded by Cotigao wildlife sanctuary on the eastern side and Bhagwan Mahaveer wildlife sanctuary on the northern side.
  • It is predominantly moist deciduous forests with patches of semi-evergreen forest in the valleys.
  • It has two important waterfalls namely, Savari and Mainapi.
  • This region supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna and notable among them are Leopard, Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Ceylon Frogmouth.

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Cotigao Sanctuary is situated in Canacona Taluka, of Goa.
  • It was established in 1968-69 to protect a remote and vulnerable area of forest lining the Goa- Karnataka border.
  • The vegetation is mostly moist-deciduous type, interspersed with semi-evergreen and evergreen patches.

Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Mollem town of Goa.
  • It is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries of Goa and contains within it the Mollem National Park.
  • It was formed to protect the vast biodiversity of the Western Ghat.
  • Originally known as the Mollem Game Sanctuary, it was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and thence renamed the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • The sanctuary is heavily forested and contains tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests and moist deciduous forests.

Source:IE