Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
Encyclopedia
The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is a 208.48 km² (80.5 sq mi) protected area
in the India
n state
of Goa
in the Western Ghats
of South India
. It is located in North Goa District, Sattari taluka
near the town of Valpoi
.
The sanctuary is an area of high biodiversity
, and is being considered to become a Project Tiger
tiger reserve
because of the presence of resident tigers
.
of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is Vishwas Chodankar. The RFO office is near the Forest Department office in Valpoi. The sanctuary is protected by 11 forest guards under the supervision of three round foresters. The sanctuary is divided into 16 beats with the three round foresters stationed in Kodal, Charavane and Caranzol in Sattari taluka. The sanctuary office has a four wheel drive vehicle and a motorcycle for patrolling. There are no public tourist facilities in the sanctuary, but there are Forest Department rest houses at Valpoi and Keri.
There is an Irrigation Department rest house above the Anjunem Dam. The Anjunem Dam is located on the Sanquelim - Belgaum
highway SH-31 in Chorla ghat at about10 km (6.2 mi) from Sanquelim town. There are three private eco-resorts in Chorla ghat. the Wildernest Nature Conservation Facility andAdventure Resort and Swapnagandha Resort.
all fall within the Mhadei river basin. The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located between 15° 48" 33' to 14° 53" 54' N and 74° 20" 13' to 73° 40" 33' E.
Elevation among the hills of the sanctuary ranges from 560 m (1,837.3 ft) in the center to 200 m (656.2 ft) in the west. The sanctuary includes the Vagheri Hills, some of the highest peaks in North Goa. Vagheri peak at elevation560 m (1,837.3 ft), the highest in the sanctuary, is near the village of Keri (15°36′54"N 74°3′52"E) in Sanquelim. Other peaks in Goa include Sonsogor
, the highest in Goa at 1166 m (3,825.5 ft), Catlanchimauli 1107 m (3,631.9 ft), Vaguerim 1100 m (3,608.9 ft) and Morlemchogar1000 m (3,280.8 ft).
The Mhadei river, known downstream as the Mandovi river, the lifeline of the state of Goa, originates in Karnataka, travels28.8 km (17.9 mi) in Karnataka, passes 9.4 km (5.8 mi) through the Mahdei Wildlife Sanctuary and meets the Arabian Sea
at Panaji after traveling 81.2 km (50.5 mi) in Goa.
See map showing rivers in Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary.
Mhadei Sanctuary is noted for its many water falls, especially the twin 143 m (469.2 ft) Vazra Sakla waterfalls 15°39′45"N 74°7′6"E and the Virdi Falls 15°39′29"N 74°6′23"E in the Chorla Ghats region on the escarpment
of the Goa-Maharashtra-Karnataka border in the Swapnagandha valley forest near Virdi village. The 143 m (469.2 ft) Vazra Sakla falls are one of the most distinguishing landmarks of the region. These water of these falls is fed by the Haltar nullah and joins the Valvanti river in Virdi village of Maharashtra. The Valvanti river then joins the Sakhali river and later meets the Mhadei river. The rock faces and cliffs that envelop the Vazra falls are home and nesting grounds of Critically Endangered
Long-billed vultures. The 16 waterfalls at 15°38′54"N 74°8′52"E 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) up from Hivre village are 15.5 km (9.6 mi) from the Valpoi.
The spectacular Ladkyacho Vozar plunge waterfall 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) northeast of Surla, Goa's highest village is at 15°40′25"N 74°11′3"E. Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park
and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
are located just to the south of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa.
The contiguous forests of Goa, Karnataka and Maharashtra including the wildlife sanctuaries of Goa in the Mhadei river valley, the Anshi Tiger Reserve
and the reserve forests and wildlife sanctuary of Radhanagari
in Karnataka, Chandoli National Park
and the reserve forests of Purna
and Dodamarg
in Maharashtra have been named as Tiger Conservation Units (TCU) numbers 68 to 72, class: II (minimum habitat area to support 50 tigers or documented evidence of 50 tigers) and III (some information on threats and conservation measures is available, but not classified as Class I or II) by WWF
International. This region is part of the Western Ghats landscape and is regarded as a Global Biodiversity Hotspot
as well as an area of high Endemism by Conservation International
.
The 2010 National Tiger Conservation Authority
Tiger Estimation described the Goa stretch of the Western Ghats as an important tiger corridor
between Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve
in Karnataka and the Sahyadris in Maharashtra
, and confirmed occupancy of tigers
in the state’s forests. In October, 2009 poacher
s were arrested near Mhadei with a tiger carcass and in recent years a live adult female tiger with a cub was sighted in the area.
The staff of the Wildernest Resort at Chorla Ghat
also sighted a tiger in the region in 2009. Also in the Chorla Ghat area, a part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, there was a confirmed kill of a female domestic buffalo by an adult male tiger. Confirmation of the presence of a male tiger came to light after villagers from Chorla and surrounding areas reported sightings and viewed pugmarks in several locations in the Chorla Ghats. The Mhadei region lies along the Vagheri hills which means "abode of tiger". See map showing location of tiger sightings in and near Mhedai Wildlife sanctuary.
Other mammal
s seen in the sanctuary include: Black panther
- rare, Sloth Bear
- Rare. Occasional sightings near caves and grasslands. Indian Gaur
- Commonly sighted near the grasslands, in forest clearings and near water, Barking Deer – Commonly sighted near forest clearings and waterholes, Sambhar deer - Occasionally sighted on grasslands and main roads, Common Leopard - extremely rare, Ruddy Mongoose
-frequently sighted at daybreak and dusk on forest paths, PaCivet - commonly sighted on main roads and near village settlements, Small Indian Civet
- commonly sighted on main roads Wild Dog
- Rarely sighted transient mammal in the forests, Jungle cat
- extremely rare. Sighted by researchers and locals on a few occasions, Mouse deer - Rare. Occasional sightings on trails, Wild Boar- frequently sighted at dawn and dusk, Indian hare - commonly sighted on the plateaux, Giant squirrel - documented in the forests, Flying Squirrel
- a nocturnal mammal, documented in dense evergreen forests, Black-faced Langur
- commonly found in small groups in tree canopy, Indian Pangolin
-rare and found in secondary forests, Slender Loris
- rare and endangered, Bonnet macaque
- commonly found in troupes.
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is an International Bird Area
(IN177) which satisfies IBA Criteria: A1. Globally threatened species, A2. Restricted-range species and A3. Biome-restricted species. IBA trigger species here are: Nilgiri Wood-pigeon
, Malabar Parakeet
, Malabar Grey Hornbill
, Grey-headed Bulbul
, Rufous Babbler
, White-bellied Blue-flycatcher and Crimson-backed Sunbird
. A total of 255 bird species have been recorded in the Sanctuary. Of these, 53 showed direct signs of breeding here.
Snake
s found in the Mhadei Valley, including the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary include: all of the Big four
venomous snakes in India]: Indian Krait
, Russell’s viper
, Saw-scaled Viper, Spectacled Cobra, plus: Banded Kukri Snake
, Banded Racer
, Beddome’s Keelback, Black slender coral Snake
, Brahminy Blind Snake, Checkered Keelback
, Collared Cat Snake
, Common Bronzeback
, Common Indian Cat Snake
, Common Sand Boa
, Common Wolf Snake, Common Vine Snake
, Copper-headed Trinket snake, Green Pit Viper
, Hump-nosed pit viper
, Indian Rat Snake
, Indian Rock Python, Indian Trinket Snake, King Cobra
, Malabar Pit Viper
, Monocled Cobra, Ocellate Shield Tail, Ornate Flying Snake
, Red Sand Boa
, Sri Lankan Cat Snake
, Streaked Kukri Snake
, Striped Keelback
, Travancore Wolf Snake
, Tree Snake, Whitakers sand boa
and the Yellow-spotted Wolf Snake
.
Endemic species of amphibians in the sanctuary include: the Endangered Marbled Ramanella
, the vulnerable
Maharashtra Bush frog
, Beddome's Leaping Frog
(Beddome’s Indian frog) and Malabar Gliding frog
.
Mhadei area is known for 3 rare species of Caecilians of the Western Ghats
(legless amphibians), Nadkarni's caecilian
, the Mhadei Caecilian and theGoa caecilian which was recently discovered and described from Keri village.
There are at least 257 recorded species of butterflies in the sanctuary of the 330 recorded species in the Western Ghats. The largest butterfly in South India, the southern birdwing
plus the stripped tiger
, common jezebel, common Indian crow
, Blue Mormon
and other species of butterflies can are found here. Prominent among these is the blue tiger
butterfly which can be found until the summer.
s were once common at almost all villages in Sattari. They traditionally render protection to a variety of flora and fauna. Copardem, three kilometres from Valpoi, is a village famed for the sacred grove tradition known locally as Devachi rai, a tradition of community conservation carried out in the name of the local deity. Formerly spread across 37620 m² (0.03762 km²) of government land, much of the sacred grove is now encroached upon for cashew plantations and agriculture. The sacred grove is an excellent example of the old tradition of uneducated villagers protecting their environment.
Among its variety of flora are towering trees such as shidam (Tetrameles nudiflora
) which support various other life forms in the grove. Creepers like garkani (Entada scandens) with their sword-like pods are found on the shidam, while the tree also houses beehives. The grove also has an evergreen species of Ashoka which bears unique saffron-coloured flowers. Pandanus furcatus known locally known as kegadi attracts village women when it bears flowers covered in yellow and soft thickets. During the monsoon, bioluminescent fungus which glitter at night grow on dead wood. The grove is also conducive for the growth of a variety of edible mushrooms such as roen alami, khutyali, sonyali and shringar.
In addition to mammals such as the mouse deer, barking deer and spotted deer, the tall trees attract birds including the crested serpent eagle
, malabar grey hornbill
and pied hornbill.
Eleven kilometres from Valpoi town is Nanoda village that has an ancient tradition of nature worship. It is etymologically related to the naked woman tree, locally known as Nano (Euphorbia tirucalli
pencil tree). Ancestors who lived in harmony with nature evolved the tradition of protecting the forest in honour of the local deity. Nanoda has two sacred grove
s named Nirankarachi Rai after the holy spirit Nirankar
: one lies on the border of Maloli and Nanoda and the other in Nanoda.
The latter is slowly being weathered away by changing values and encroachments. In the past, large areas of forest land were protected through sacred groves such as Nirankarachi Rai. One would find various species of indigenous trees in these groves and no one dared cut a tree. In this way villagers ensured their protection. The densely forested groves were also used by villagers to keep sculptures of village deities. Today, thanks to encroachments, the size of the groves has decreased, while the sculptures lie exposed to the vagaries of nature. Nanoda's Nirankarachi Rai, formerly spread across a large area, but is now confined to a small patch where the vulnerable species
hedu (satinwood), khait
(Mimosa catechu), and chafara
(Red Frangipani) trees are found. Majestic trees such as Bhillo maad (coconut) have already been felled.
Inside the sacred grove are 15 stone sculptures-of Gajlaxmi, Mahishasurmardini, Ravalnath, Brahmani, a horse rider and warriors-which are a part of Goa's archaeological heritage, are weathering away. Animals like sheryo (pangolin), shekaro (Malabar giant squirrel) are found in sacred groves.
.
On June 20, 2011, Jairam Ramesh
, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Forests
, advised Digambar Kamat, Chief Minister
of Goa, to propose the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve
because of the presence of resident tigers
. The MOEF urged Goa to seriously consider the proposal because Mhadei is a 'contiguous tiger landscape' to Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
in Karnataka to its southeast and to Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve
which has around 35 tigers to its southeast in
Karnataka. Ramesh noted that the protected areas of Goa and their contiguous forests in Karnataka and Maharashtra are possibly some of the best tiger habitats in the Western Ghats and are in need of protection. Tigers are a conservation dependent species
.
He suggested expanding the tiger reserve beyond the existing Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
On July 22, 2011, National Board for Wildlife (NBW) member and conservationist, Prerna Singh Bindra, publicly supported the proposal to declare Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, stating that it will help secure the entire regions water resources. In a letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat, Bindra urged him to consider the merit of the proposal as suggested by Jairam Ramesh. "Mhadei is the catchment area of important rivers like Mhadei, Malaprabha, Pandhari, Bailnadi, Tillari, and making it a tiger reserve will help consolidate the habitat and address the water security issues of Goa for posterity,"
On Aug 8, 2011, Goa Forests Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues questioned the existence of tigers in the state. "It is not my job to know whether there are any tigers here." Rodrigues also said, "the state government would not reply to a directive from former union environment and forests minister minister Jairam Ramesh asking the Goa government to submit a proposal for setting up a tiger reserve, unless specifically asked for. Why should we reply?" It is alleged that the Goa government's sluggishness to acknowledge the presence of tigers in Goa is linked to the state's Rs.
6,500 crore
(US$
~13,000,000.) mining industry, which rings the Western ghats and most of the tiger terrain near the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
On August 9, 2011, there was public announcement that “in-principle” approval was accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority
for creation of a new Tiger Reserve at Mhadei Sanctuary. Under section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972
the Goa state government was then authorised to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
There is considerable local community support for creation of the tiger reserve which would ensure long term protection of biodiversity
-rich areas. In September, 2011, the Save Goa Campaign - UK initiated a petition addressed to The Goa Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr. Shashi Kumar, IFS
, in support of Goa's first tiger reserve.
Protected areas of India
As of May 2004, the protected areas of India cover , roughly 4.95% of the total surface area.-Classification:India has the following kinds of protected areas, in the sense of the word designated by IUCN:-National Park:...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state
States and territories of India
India is a federal union of states comprising twenty-eight states and seven union territories. The states and territories are further subdivided into districts and so on.-List of states and territories:...
of Goa
Goa
Goa , a former Portuguese colony, is India's smallest state by area and the fourth smallest by population. Located in South West India in the region known as the Konkan, it is bounded by the state of Maharashtra to the north, and by Karnataka to the east and south, while the Arabian Sea forms its...
in the Western Ghats
Western Ghats
The Western Ghats, Western Ghauts or the Sahyādri is a mountain range along the western side of India. It runs north to south along the western edge of the Deccan Plateau, and separates the plateau from a narrow coastal plain along the Arabian Sea. The Western Ghats block rainfall to the Deccan...
of South India
South India
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area...
. It is located in North Goa District, Sattari taluka
Sattari
Sattari is a taluka on North East side of Goa known for its greenary and dense forest. Its headquarters is Valpoi . It is the 'Fenny capital' of Goa. The Western Ghats form the eastern part of the Sattari Taluka. The Mhadei River is considered to be the lifeline of Sattari. It has a...
near the town of Valpoi
Valpoi
Valpoi or Valpoy is a city and a municipal council in North Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. It is the headquarters of the Sattari Taluk. The Western Ghats are to the east of the town.- Demographics :...
.
The sanctuary is an area of high biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
, and is being considered to become a Project Tiger
Project Tiger
Project Tiger was launched in 1972 in India. The project aims at ensuring a viable population of tigers in their natural habitats and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage for the people. The selection of areas for the reserves represented as close as possible the...
tiger reserve
Tiger Reserves of India
There are 39 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger which is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority...
because of the presence of resident tigers
Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
.
Infrastructure
The sanctuary is administered by the Goa State Forest Department. The Range Forest OfficerForest range officer
A forest range officer is an officer belonging to a state forest service in the Government of India. He is responsible for managing the forests, environment and wildlife related issues of a forest range of a state or a union territory of India. He is assisted by other state forest officials...
of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is Vishwas Chodankar. The RFO office is near the Forest Department office in Valpoi. The sanctuary is protected by 11 forest guards under the supervision of three round foresters. The sanctuary is divided into 16 beats with the three round foresters stationed in Kodal, Charavane and Caranzol in Sattari taluka. The sanctuary office has a four wheel drive vehicle and a motorcycle for patrolling. There are no public tourist facilities in the sanctuary, but there are Forest Department rest houses at Valpoi and Keri.
There is an Irrigation Department rest house above the Anjunem Dam. The Anjunem Dam is located on the Sanquelim - Belgaum
Belgaum
Belgaum is a city and a municipal corporation in Belgaum district in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the fourth largest city of the state of Karnataka, the first three being Bangalore, Mysore, Hubli-Dharwad....
highway SH-31 in Chorla ghat at about10 km (6.2 mi) from Sanquelim town. There are three private eco-resorts in Chorla ghat. the Wildernest Nature Conservation Facility andAdventure Resort and Swapnagandha Resort.
Geography
Goa is the only state in India which has protected the complete Western Ghats section within their state. Goa’s four wildlife sanctuaries are located on the eastern side of the state in the Western Ghats covering an area of about750 km² (289.6 sq mi). The Mahdei Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National ParkBhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park
Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park is a protected area located in the Western Ghats of South India, in Sanguem taluk, Goa along the eastern border with Karnataka....
all fall within the Mhadei river basin. The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is located between 15° 48" 33' to 14° 53" 54' N and 74° 20" 13' to 73° 40" 33' E.
Elevation among the hills of the sanctuary ranges from 560 m (1,837.3 ft) in the center to 200 m (656.2 ft) in the west. The sanctuary includes the Vagheri Hills, some of the highest peaks in North Goa. Vagheri peak at elevation560 m (1,837.3 ft), the highest in the sanctuary, is near the village of Keri (15°36′54"N 74°3′52"E) in Sanquelim. Other peaks in Goa include Sonsogor
Sonsogor
Sonsogor is the highest peak in the state of Goa, India, at an altitude of aboove sea level. It is located in the taluk of Sanguem. It is also called Sonsogodd, Darsingha or Darsinga. the Western Ghat mountain range....
, the highest in Goa at 1166 m (3,825.5 ft), Catlanchimauli 1107 m (3,631.9 ft), Vaguerim 1100 m (3,608.9 ft) and Morlemchogar1000 m (3,280.8 ft).
The Mhadei river, known downstream as the Mandovi river, the lifeline of the state of Goa, originates in Karnataka, travels28.8 km (17.9 mi) in Karnataka, passes 9.4 km (5.8 mi) through the Mahdei Wildlife Sanctuary and meets the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
at Panaji after traveling 81.2 km (50.5 mi) in Goa.
See map showing rivers in Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary.
Mhadei Sanctuary is noted for its many water falls, especially the twin 143 m (469.2 ft) Vazra Sakla waterfalls 15°39′45"N 74°7′6"E and the Virdi Falls 15°39′29"N 74°6′23"E in the Chorla Ghats region on the escarpment
Escarpment
An escarpment is a steep slope or long cliff that occurs from erosion or faulting and separates two relatively level areas of differing elevations.-Description and variants:...
of the Goa-Maharashtra-Karnataka border in the Swapnagandha valley forest near Virdi village. The 143 m (469.2 ft) Vazra Sakla falls are one of the most distinguishing landmarks of the region. These water of these falls is fed by the Haltar nullah and joins the Valvanti river in Virdi village of Maharashtra. The Valvanti river then joins the Sakhali river and later meets the Mhadei river. The rock faces and cliffs that envelop the Vazra falls are home and nesting grounds of Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered
Critically Endangered is the highest risk category assigned by the IUCN Red List for wild species. Critically Endangered means that a species' numbers have decreased, or will decrease, by 80% within three generations....
Long-billed vultures. The 16 waterfalls at 15°38′54"N 74°8′52"E 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) up from Hivre village are 15.5 km (9.6 mi) from the Valpoi.
The spectacular Ladkyacho Vozar plunge waterfall 1.5 km (0.93205910497471 mi) northeast of Surla, Goa's highest village is at 15°40′25"N 74°11′3"E. Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park
Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park
Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park is a protected area located in the Western Ghats of South India, in Sanguem taluk, Goa along the eastern border with Karnataka....
and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Eastern Goa, India. It is connected to The Madei Wildlife Sanctuary. Together the two parks have a total area of 420 km² of which Netravali is 211 km². One can find many animals here including the black panther, the slender loris and giant...
are located just to the south of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa.
Fauna
Anshi National Park
Anshi National Park is located in Uttara Kannada district, in the Indian state of Karnataka, bordering the state of Goa...
and the reserve forests and wildlife sanctuary of Radhanagari
Radhanagari
Radhanagari is a town and the headquarters of Radhanagari tehsil in Radhanagari subdivision of Kolhapur district in the Indian state of Maharashtra....
in Karnataka, Chandoli National Park
Chandoli National Park
Chundolli National Park an 317.67 km² Indian National Park, established in May 2004, earlier a Wildlife Sanctuary declared in 1985, is located near the between longitudes 73°40' E and 73°53' E and latitudes 17°03'N and 17°20'N near Sangli in Western Maharashtra...
and the reserve forests of Purna
Purna
Purna is a town with a municipal council in Parbhani district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Geography:Purna is located at . It has an average elevation of 386 metres ....
and Dodamarg
Dodamarg
Dodamarg is a tehsil in Sawantwadi subdivision of Sindhudurg district in the Indian state of Maharashtra.-Places Of Interest:*Nagnath Mandir & Datta Mandir [Tervan-Medhe*Tilari Dam*KasaiNath Mountain*PargadhFort*Tilari River...
in Maharashtra have been named as Tiger Conservation Units (TCU) numbers 68 to 72, class: II (minimum habitat area to support 50 tigers or documented evidence of 50 tigers) and III (some information on threats and conservation measures is available, but not classified as Class I or II) by WWF
World Wide Fund for Nature
The World Wide Fund for Nature is an international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which remains its official name in Canada and the United States...
International. This region is part of the Western Ghats landscape and is regarded as a Global Biodiversity Hotspot
Biodiversity hotspot
A biodiversity hotspot is a biogeographic region with a significant reservoir of biodiversity that is under threat from humans.The concept of biodiversity hotspots was originated by Norman Myers in two articles in “The Environmentalist” , revised after thorough analysis by Myers and others in...
as well as an area of high Endemism by Conservation International
Conservation International
Conservation International is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, which seeks to ensure the health of humanity by protecting Earth's ecosystems and biodiversity. CI’s work focuses on six key initiatives that affect human well-being: climate, food security, freshwater...
.
The 2010 National Tiger Conservation Authority
National Tiger Conservation Authority
The National Tiger Conservation Authority was established in December 2005 following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force, constituted by the Prime Minister of India for reorganized management of Project Tiger...
Tiger Estimation described the Goa stretch of the Western Ghats as an important tiger corridor
Wildlife corridor
A wildlife corridor or green corridor is an area of habitat connecting wildlife populations separated by human activities . This allows an exchange of individuals between populations, which may help prevent the negative effects of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity that often occur within...
between Anshi-Dandeli Tiger Reserve
Anshi National Park
Anshi National Park is located in Uttara Kannada district, in the Indian state of Karnataka, bordering the state of Goa...
in Karnataka and the Sahyadris in Maharashtra
Maharashtra
Maharashtra is a state located in India. It is the second most populous after Uttar Pradesh and third largest state by area in India...
, and confirmed occupancy of tigers
Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
in the state’s forests. In October, 2009 poacher
Poacher
Poacher may refer to:*One who engages in poaching, the theft or illegal killing of animals or plants*A device used for poaching *Poacher , a family of fish...
s were arrested near Mhadei with a tiger carcass and in recent years a live adult female tiger with a cub was sighted in the area.
The staff of the Wildernest Resort at Chorla Ghat
Chorla Ghat
Chorla Ghat is located exactly on the north-eastern side of the Goa-Karnataka-Maharashtra boundaries, Chorla ghat is in fact a virtual paradise in the monsoon...
also sighted a tiger in the region in 2009. Also in the Chorla Ghat area, a part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, there was a confirmed kill of a female domestic buffalo by an adult male tiger. Confirmation of the presence of a male tiger came to light after villagers from Chorla and surrounding areas reported sightings and viewed pugmarks in several locations in the Chorla Ghats. The Mhadei region lies along the Vagheri hills which means "abode of tiger". See map showing location of tiger sightings in and near Mhedai Wildlife sanctuary.
Other mammal
Mammal
Mammals are members of a class of air-breathing vertebrate animals characterised by the possession of endothermy, hair, three middle ear bones, and mammary glands functional in mothers with young...
s seen in the sanctuary include: Black panther
Black panther
A black panther is typically a melanistic color variant of any of several species of larger cat. Wild black panthers in Latin America are black jaguars , in Asia and Africa they are black leopards , and in North America they may be black jaguars or possibly black cougars A black panther is...
- rare, Sloth Bear
Sloth Bear
The sloth bear , also known as the labiated bear, is a nocturnal insectivorous species of bear found wild within the Indian subcontinent. The sloth bear evolved from ancestral brown bears during the Pleistocene and shares features found in insect-eating mammals through convergent evolution...
- Rare. Occasional sightings near caves and grasslands. Indian Gaur
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
- Commonly sighted near the grasslands, in forest clearings and near water, Barking Deer – Commonly sighted near forest clearings and waterholes, Sambhar deer - Occasionally sighted on grasslands and main roads, Common Leopard - extremely rare, Ruddy Mongoose
Ruddy Mongoose
The Ruddy Mongoose is a species of mongoose found in hill forests of peninsular India and Sri Lanka. This mongoose along with the Striped-necked Mongoose are the only mongoose species endemic to India and Sri Lanka....
-frequently sighted at daybreak and dusk on forest paths, PaCivet - commonly sighted on main roads and near village settlements, Small Indian Civet
Small Indian Civet
The Small Indian Civet or Rasse is a species of civet found across south and South-east Asia as well as in the Indonesian archipelago. The Assamese name Johamaal refers to its glandular odour similar to a scented rice variety called Joha...
- commonly sighted on main roads Wild Dog
Dhole
The dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
- Rarely sighted transient mammal in the forests, Jungle cat
Jungle Cat
The jungle cat is a medium-sized cat and considered the largest remaining species of the wild cat genus Felis. The species is also called the swamp lynx but is not closely related to the lynxes....
- extremely rare. Sighted by researchers and locals on a few occasions, Mouse deer - Rare. Occasional sightings on trails, Wild Boar- frequently sighted at dawn and dusk, Indian hare - commonly sighted on the plateaux, Giant squirrel - documented in the forests, Flying Squirrel
Flying squirrel
Flying squirrels, scientifically known as Pteromyini or Petauristini, are a tribe of 44 species of squirrels .- Description :...
- a nocturnal mammal, documented in dense evergreen forests, Black-faced Langur
Gray langur
Gray langurs or Hanuman langurs, the most widespread langurs of South Asia, are a group of Old World monkeys constituting the entirety of the genus Semnopithecus. All taxa have traditionally been placed in the single species Semnopithecus entellus...
- commonly found in small groups in tree canopy, Indian Pangolin
Indian Pangolin
The Indian Pangolin or ”Scaly Ant-eater” is a pangolin that is found in the plains and hills of India, Sri Lanka,Nepal and some parts of Pakistan. It is not common anywhere in its range....
-rare and found in secondary forests, Slender Loris
Slender loris
The slender lorises are two species of loris native to India and Sri Lanka, the only members of the genus Loris:* the red slender loris, Loris tardigradus* the gray slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus...
- rare and endangered, Bonnet macaque
Bonnet Macaque
The bonnet macaque is a macaque endemic to southern India. Its distribution is limited by the Indian Ocean on three sides and the Godavari and Tapti Rivers along with a related competing species of rhesus macaque in the north....
- commonly found in troupes.
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is an International Bird Area
IBA
-Iba:People*Clarence Iba , American basketball coach*Erol Iba , Indonesian footballer*Henry Iba , American basketball coach*Moe Iba , American basketball coach*Itsuki Iba, a fictional characterPlaces...
(IN177) which satisfies IBA Criteria: A1. Globally threatened species, A2. Restricted-range species and A3. Biome-restricted species. IBA trigger species here are: Nilgiri Wood-pigeon
Nilgiri Wood-pigeon
The Nilgiri Wood Pigeon is large pigeon found in the moist deciduous forests and sholas of the Western Ghats in southwestern India. They are mainly frugivorous and forage in the canopy of dense hill forests...
, Malabar Parakeet
Malabar Parakeet
The Malabar Parakeet also known as the Blue-winged Parakeet, is a species of parakeet endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. Found in small flocks, they fly rapidly in forest clearings while making screeching calls that differ from those of other parakeet species within their distribution...
, Malabar Grey Hornbill
Malabar Grey Hornbill
The Malabar Grey Hornbill, Ocyceros griseus, is a hornbill that is endemic to the Western Ghats and associated hills of southern India. They have a large beak but lack the casque that is prominent in other species of hornbills. They are found mainly in dense forest and around rubber, arecanut or...
, Grey-headed Bulbul
Grey-headed Bulbul
The Grey-headed Bulbul is a member of the bulbul family of passerine birds. It is endemic to the Western Ghats of south-west India, found from Goa south to Tamil Nadu, at altitudes up to 1200m. It is found in dense reeds or thickets mainly near rivers and swampy areas inside forests...
, Rufous Babbler
Rufous Babbler
The Rufous Babbler is an Old World babbler endemic to the Western Ghats of southern India. It is dark brown and long tailed, and is usually seen foraging in noisy groups along open hillsides grass or forest.-Description:...
, White-bellied Blue-flycatcher and Crimson-backed Sunbird
Crimson-backed Sunbird
The Crimson-backed Sunbird or Small Sunbird is a sunbird endemic to the Western Ghats of India. Like other sunbirds, they feed mainly on nectar although they take insects, especially to feed their young...
. A total of 255 bird species have been recorded in the Sanctuary. Of these, 53 showed direct signs of breeding here.
Snake
Snake
Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...
s found in the Mhadei Valley, including the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary include: all of the Big four
Big Four (Indian snakes)
The Big Four are the four venomous snake species responsible for causing the most snake bite cases in South Asia .The Big Four:* Indian cobra, Naja naja, probably the most famous of all Indian snakes....
venomous snakes in India]: Indian Krait
Common Krait
The common krait is a species of genus Bungarus found in the jungles of the Indian subcontinent. It is a member of the "big four", species inflicting the most snakebites in India....
, Russell’s viper
Daboia
Daboia is a monotypic genus of venomous Old World viper. The single species, D. russelii, is found in Asia throughout the Indian subcontinent, much of Southeast Asia, southern China and Taiwan...
, Saw-scaled Viper, Spectacled Cobra, plus: Banded Kukri Snake
Oligodon arnensis
Common kukri snake or Banded kukri Oligodon arnensis is a species of nonvenomous snakefound in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan and Nepal.-Description:The following description is from Boulenger and Smith ....
, Banded Racer
Coluber
Coluber is a genus of thin bodied, fast moving, colubrid snakes commonly known as racers. They are widespread around the world and vary greatly in habitat and behaviour. In the past, Coluber was a catch-all genus which included almost all snake species known at the time...
, Beddome’s Keelback, Black slender coral Snake
Calliophis melanurus
The Indian coral snake, Calliophis melanurus, is a species of venomous elapid snake.-Geographic range:It is found in India , Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.The race sinhaleyus is found in Sri Lanka.-References:...
, Brahminy Blind Snake, Checkered Keelback
Xenochrophis piscator
The Chequered Keelback or Asiatic Water Snake is a common species of non-venomous snake found in Asia.-Description:...
, Collared Cat Snake
Boiga nuchalis
Boiga nuchalis is a species of rear-fanged colubrid snake found in India and Nepal.Also Called as Ashahar' cat snake, on the honour of Central indian herpetologist Ashahar Khan as he Studied it for half decade....
, Common Bronzeback
Dendrelaphis tristis
The Bronzeback Dendrelaphis tristis is a species of tree-snake found in South Asia.-Description:It is a long slender snake with a pointed head and a bronze coloured line running down its back. Feeds on geckos and frogs. This harmless snake prefers the tree tops to life on the ground...
, Common Indian Cat Snake
Boiga trigonata
The Indian gamma Snake or common cat snake is a species of rear-fanged colubrid found in South Asia.-Description:B. trigonata has anterior palatine and mandibular teeth scarcely larger than the posterior. Its eyes are as long as the distance from its nostril; the rostral is broader than deep with...
, Common Sand Boa
Eryx johnii
Eryx johnii is a non-venomous boa species found in Iran, Pakistan and India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:Adults rarely exceed two feet in length , although they sometimes reach 3 feet . Adapted to burrowing, the head is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and very small eyes...
, Common Wolf Snake, Common Vine Snake
Ahaetulla nasuta
The Green vine snake , is a slender green tree snake found in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.-Description:...
, Copper-headed Trinket snake, Green Pit Viper
Trimeresurus trigonocephalus
Trimeresurus trigonocephalus is a venomous pitviper species found in Sri Lanka. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:A sexually dimorphic species, at a maximum of 70 cm in length the males are considerably smaller than females, which can grow to 130 cm. In addition, male tends to...
, Hump-nosed pit viper
Hump-nosed pit viper
Hump-nosed pit viper may refer to:* Hypnale , any member of a genus of venomous pitvipers found in Sri Lanka and southwestern India.* Hypnale hypnale , a venomous pitviper species found in India and Sri Lanka....
, Indian Rat Snake
Ptyas mucosus
Dhaman or Oriental Ratsnake Ptyas mucosus is a common species of colubrid snake found in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Growing to nearly two metres, they are large snakes and their colour varies from pale browns in dry regions to nearly black in moist forest areas...
, Indian Rock Python, Indian Trinket Snake, King Cobra
King Cobra
The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.6 m . This species, which preys chiefly on other snakes, is found predominantly in forests from India through Southeast Asia to the Philippines and Indonesia...
, Malabar Pit Viper
Trimeresurus malabaricus
Trimeresurus malabaricus is a venomous pitviper species found in southwestern India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:...
, Monocled Cobra, Ocellate Shield Tail, Ornate Flying Snake
Chrysopelea ornata
Chrysopelea ornata is a colubrid snake found in South and Southeast Asia. It is, along with the other species in its genus Chrysopelea, very unusual in that it is capable of a type of gliding flight. It is also rear-fanged. Currently, three subspecies are recognized, including the typical form...
, Red Sand Boa
Eryx johnii
Eryx johnii is a non-venomous boa species found in Iran, Pakistan and India. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Description:Adults rarely exceed two feet in length , although they sometimes reach 3 feet . Adapted to burrowing, the head is wedge-shaped with narrow nostrils and very small eyes...
, Sri Lankan Cat Snake
Boiga ceylonensis
The Sri Lanka cat snake, Boiga ceylonensis, is a species of colubrid snake found in Sri Lanka and the Western Ghats of India.-Description:...
, Streaked Kukri Snake
Oligodon taeniolatus
Streaked Kukri Snake is a species of nonvenomous snake found in Asia. Also known as the Variegated Kukri or the Russell's Kukri.-References:...
, Striped Keelback
Amphiesma stolatum
The buff striped keelback is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake found across Asia. It is a typically nonaggressive snake that feeds on frogs and toads. It belongs to the subfamily Natricinae, and is closely related to water snakes and grass snakes. It pretty much resembles an Asian version of...
, Travancore Wolf Snake
Lycodon travancoricus
The Travancore wolf snake is a species of colubrid snake.-Distribution:It is found in Pakistan and India .-Description:...
, Tree Snake, Whitakers sand boa
Eryx whitakeri
Eryx whitakeri is a non-venomous boa species found in coastal southern India. Named in honor of Romulus Whitaker. No subspecies are currently recognized.-Geographic range:...
and the Yellow-spotted Wolf Snake
Lycodon flavomaculatus
The yellow-spotted wolf snake is a species of colubrid snake found in the Western Ghats of India.-References:* Lanza,B. 1999 A new species of Lycodon from the Philippines, with a key to the genus . Tropical Zoology 12: 89-104* Wall, Frank 1907 Some new Asian snakes. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 17 :...
.
Endemic species of amphibians in the sanctuary include: the Endangered Marbled Ramanella
Ramanella mormorata
Ramanella mormorata is a species of narrow-mouthed frog found in India....
, the vulnerable
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
Maharashtra Bush frog
Philautus bombayensis
Philautus bombayensis is a species of frog in the Rhacophoridae family.It is endemic to India.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, subtropical or tropical moist montanes, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, and heavily degraded former forest.It is threatened...
, Beddome's Leaping Frog
Indirana beddomii
Beddome's Leaping Frog is a species of frog found in the Western Ghats. They are usually detected by the long leaps as the flush from the ground when disturbed. The species is named after the naturalist Richard Henry Beddome....
(Beddome’s Indian frog) and Malabar Gliding frog
Rhacophorus malabaricus
The Malabar Flying Frog is a moss frog species found in the Western Ghats of India.-Behavior:The term "flying frog" refers to its ability to break their fall by stretching the webbing between their toes when making leaps down from the treetops...
.
Mhadei area is known for 3 rare species of Caecilians of the Western Ghats
Caecilians of the Western Ghats
The Western Ghats are home to several species of Caecilians .Caecilians are legless, burrowing amphibians which mostly live in leaf litter, loose soil, under rocks and decaying logs. They are also found in agricultural fields and only surface during the monsoon. The body is elongated and smooth...
(legless amphibians), Nadkarni's caecilian
Gegeneophis nadkarnii
Gegeneophis nadkarnii is a species of caecilian found in India. It is described on the basis of specimens collected from Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa, India. It is differentiated from all Gegeneophis except Gegeneophis danieli, in having many secondary annuli that begin on the anterior of the body...
, the Mhadei Caecilian and theGoa caecilian which was recently discovered and described from Keri village.
There are at least 257 recorded species of butterflies in the sanctuary of the 330 recorded species in the Western Ghats. The largest butterfly in South India, the southern birdwing
Troides minos
The Southern Birdwing is a large and striking Swallowtail butterfly endemic to Peninsular India. With a wingspan of 140-190mm, it is the largest butterfly found in southern India....
plus the stripped tiger
Danaus genutia
The Common Tiger is one of the common butterflies of India. It belongs to the "Crows and Tigers", that is, the danainae group of the Brush-footed butterflies family...
, common jezebel, common Indian crow
Euploea core
The Common Crow is a common butterfly found in South Asia. In India it is also sometimes referred to as the Common Indian Crow, and in Australia as the Australian Crow. It belongs to the Crows and Tigers subfamily of the Nymphalidae .The Common Crow is the most common representative of its genus...
, Blue Mormon
Papilio polymnestor
The Blue Mormon is a large swallowtail butterfly found in South India and Sri Lanka.-Description:Males have the upper wings rich velvety black...
and other species of butterflies can are found here. Prominent among these is the blue tiger
Tirumala limniace
The Blue Tiger is a butterfly found in India that belongs to the Crows and Tigers, that is, the Danaid group of the Brush-footed butterflies family. This butterfly shows gregarious migratory behaviour in southern India.-Description:...
butterfly which can be found until the summer.
Sacred groves
Sacred groveSacred grove
A sacred grove is a grove of trees of special religious importance to a particular culture. Sacred groves were most prominent in the Ancient Near East and prehistoric Europe, but feature in various cultures throughout the world...
s were once common at almost all villages in Sattari. They traditionally render protection to a variety of flora and fauna. Copardem, three kilometres from Valpoi, is a village famed for the sacred grove tradition known locally as Devachi rai, a tradition of community conservation carried out in the name of the local deity. Formerly spread across 37620 m² (0.03762 km²) of government land, much of the sacred grove is now encroached upon for cashew plantations and agriculture. The sacred grove is an excellent example of the old tradition of uneducated villagers protecting their environment.
Among its variety of flora are towering trees such as shidam (Tetrameles nudiflora
Tetrameles nudiflora
Tetrameles nudiflora is a species of plant in the Tetramelaceae family. It is a tree found in Queensland , Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam...
) which support various other life forms in the grove. Creepers like garkani (Entada scandens) with their sword-like pods are found on the shidam, while the tree also houses beehives. The grove also has an evergreen species of Ashoka which bears unique saffron-coloured flowers. Pandanus furcatus known locally known as kegadi attracts village women when it bears flowers covered in yellow and soft thickets. During the monsoon, bioluminescent fungus which glitter at night grow on dead wood. The grove is also conducive for the growth of a variety of edible mushrooms such as roen alami, khutyali, sonyali and shringar.
In addition to mammals such as the mouse deer, barking deer and spotted deer, the tall trees attract birds including the crested serpent eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle
The Crested Serpent Eagle is a medium-sized bird of prey that is found in forested habitats across tropical Asia. Within its widespread range, there are considerable variations and some authorities prefer to treat several of its subspecies as completely separate species. In the past, several...
, malabar grey hornbill
Malabar Grey Hornbill
The Malabar Grey Hornbill, Ocyceros griseus, is a hornbill that is endemic to the Western Ghats and associated hills of southern India. They have a large beak but lack the casque that is prominent in other species of hornbills. They are found mainly in dense forest and around rubber, arecanut or...
and pied hornbill.
Eleven kilometres from Valpoi town is Nanoda village that has an ancient tradition of nature worship. It is etymologically related to the naked woman tree, locally known as Nano (Euphorbia tirucalli
Euphorbia tirucalli
Euphorbia tirucalli is a shrub that grows in semi-arid tropical climates.It has a wide distribution in Africa, being prominently present in northeastern, central...
pencil tree). Ancestors who lived in harmony with nature evolved the tradition of protecting the forest in honour of the local deity. Nanoda has two sacred grove
Sacred grove
A sacred grove is a grove of trees of special religious importance to a particular culture. Sacred groves were most prominent in the Ancient Near East and prehistoric Europe, but feature in various cultures throughout the world...
s named Nirankarachi Rai after the holy spirit Nirankar
Nirankar
Nirankar means without form or formless and is used in the Sikh holy book, the Guru Granth Sahib, to refer to God....
: one lies on the border of Maloli and Nanoda and the other in Nanoda.
The latter is slowly being weathered away by changing values and encroachments. In the past, large areas of forest land were protected through sacred groves such as Nirankarachi Rai. One would find various species of indigenous trees in these groves and no one dared cut a tree. In this way villagers ensured their protection. The densely forested groves were also used by villagers to keep sculptures of village deities. Today, thanks to encroachments, the size of the groves has decreased, while the sculptures lie exposed to the vagaries of nature. Nanoda's Nirankarachi Rai, formerly spread across a large area, but is now confined to a small patch where the vulnerable species
Vulnerable species
On 30 January 2010, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species identified 9694 Vulnerable species, subspecies and varieties, stocks and sub-populations.-References:...
hedu (satinwood), khait
Acacia catechu
Acacia catechu also commonly called Mimosa catechu, is a deciduous, thorny tree which grows up to in height. The plant is called khair in Hindi, and kachu in Malay, hence the name was Latinized to "catechu" in Linnaean taxonomy, as the type-species from which the extracts cutch and catechu are...
(Mimosa catechu), and chafara
Plumeria rubra
Plumeria rubra is a deciduous plant species belonging to the genus Plumeria. Its common names are Red Frangipani, Common Frangipani, Temple Tree, or simply Plumeria...
(Red Frangipani) trees are found. Majestic trees such as Bhillo maad (coconut) have already been felled.
Inside the sacred grove are 15 stone sculptures-of Gajlaxmi, Mahishasurmardini, Ravalnath, Brahmani, a horse rider and warriors-which are a part of Goa's archaeological heritage, are weathering away. Animals like sheryo (pangolin), shekaro (Malabar giant squirrel) are found in sacred groves.
Threats
Multiple threats to the unique ecology and biodiversity of the Mhedai Wildlife Sanctuary include: illegal heavy vehicular traffic mismanagement of private lands, illegal mining and tree felling, monoculture plantations, industrial activities, poaching and dams and river diversions, notably the Malaprabha Reservoir Project and The Kalasa-Banduri Nala projectThe Kalasa-Banduri Nala project
The Kalasa-Bandura Nala project is a project undertaken by the Government of Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad and the districts of Belgaum and Gadag...
.
Mhadei tiger reserve
Jairam Ramesh
Jairam Ramesh born April 9, 1954, is an Indian economist and an influential politician of the Congress Party in the United Progressive Alliance ruling coalition of center-left political parties heading the Government of India. He is a Member of Parliament representing Andhra Pradesh state in the...
, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Forests
Ministry of Environment and Forests
The Ministry of Environment and Forests is an Indian government ministry. The Minister of Environment and Forests holds cabinet rank as a member of the Council of Ministers...
, advised Digambar Kamat, Chief Minister
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a sub-national state, provinces of Sri Lanka, Pakistan, notably a state of India, a territory of Australia or a British Overseas Territory that has attained self-government...
of Goa, to propose the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve
Tiger Reserves of India
There are 39 tiger reserves in India which are governed by Project Tiger which is administered by the National Tiger Conservation Authority...
because of the presence of resident tigers
Bengal Tiger
The Bengal tiger is a tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent that in 2010 has been classified as endangered by IUCN...
. The MOEF urged Goa to seriously consider the proposal because Mhadei is a 'contiguous tiger landscape' to Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area in the Western Ghats, India, Karnataka state. This 13,167.10 hectares of evergreen forest area was long awaiting to be a wild life sanctuary and finally got the wildlife sanctuary tag in March 2010. It lies in the Khanapur Taluk of Belgaum Dist near...
in Karnataka to its southeast and to Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve
Anshi National Park
Anshi National Park is located in Uttara Kannada district, in the Indian state of Karnataka, bordering the state of Goa...
which has around 35 tigers to its southeast in
Karnataka. Ramesh noted that the protected areas of Goa and their contiguous forests in Karnataka and Maharashtra are possibly some of the best tiger habitats in the Western Ghats and are in need of protection. Tigers are a conservation dependent species
Conservation Dependent
Conservation Dependent was an IUCN category assigned to species or lower taxa which were dependent on conservation efforts to prevent the taxon becoming threatened with extinction...
.
He suggested expanding the tiger reserve beyond the existing Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
On July 22, 2011, National Board for Wildlife (NBW) member and conservationist, Prerna Singh Bindra, publicly supported the proposal to declare Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve, stating that it will help secure the entire regions water resources. In a letter to chief minister Digambar Kamat, Bindra urged him to consider the merit of the proposal as suggested by Jairam Ramesh. "Mhadei is the catchment area of important rivers like Mhadei, Malaprabha, Pandhari, Bailnadi, Tillari, and making it a tiger reserve will help consolidate the habitat and address the water security issues of Goa for posterity,"
On Aug 8, 2011, Goa Forests Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues questioned the existence of tigers in the state. "It is not my job to know whether there are any tigers here." Rodrigues also said, "the state government would not reply to a directive from former union environment and forests minister minister Jairam Ramesh asking the Goa government to submit a proposal for setting up a tiger reserve, unless specifically asked for. Why should we reply?" It is alleged that the Goa government's sluggishness to acknowledge the presence of tigers in Goa is linked to the state's Rs.
Indian rupee
The Indian rupee is the official currency of the Republic of India. The issuance of the currency is controlled by the Reserve Bank of India....
6,500 crore
Crore
A crore is a unit in the Indian number system equal to ten million , or 100 lakhs. It is widely used in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan....
(US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
~13,000,000.) mining industry, which rings the Western ghats and most of the tiger terrain near the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.
On August 9, 2011, there was public announcement that “in-principle” approval was accorded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority
National Tiger Conservation Authority
The National Tiger Conservation Authority was established in December 2005 following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force, constituted by the Prime Minister of India for reorganized management of Project Tiger...
for creation of a new Tiger Reserve at Mhadei Sanctuary. Under section 38V of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972
The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 refers to a sweeping package of legislation enacted in 1972 by the Government of India. Before 1972, India only had five designated national parks...
the Goa state government was then authorised to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
There is considerable local community support for creation of the tiger reserve which would ensure long term protection of biodiversity
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is the degree of variation of life forms within a given ecosystem, biome, or an entire planet. Biodiversity is a measure of the health of ecosystems. Biodiversity is in part a function of climate. In terrestrial habitats, tropical regions are typically rich whereas polar regions...
-rich areas. In September, 2011, the Save Goa Campaign - UK initiated a petition addressed to The Goa Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr. Shashi Kumar, IFS
Indian Forest Service
The Indian Forest Service is the Forestry service of India. It is one of the three All India Services of the Indian government, along with the Indian Administrative Service and Indian Police Service; its employees are recruited by the national government but serve under the state governments or...
, in support of Goa's first tiger reserve.
