3 new sites for bird & habitat conservation identified

Systematic data collection and conservation intent of Goa Bird Conservation Network (GBCN) has led to the inclusion of the three new IBAs in Goa in the book “Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA): Priority Sites for Conservation” authored by ornithologist Dr Asad Rahmani, thereby taking the tally of IBAs in the State to seven.

Goa had four IBAs identified and recognised which included Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Carambolim Wetlands, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

“IBAs are sites of international significance for conservation of birds and their habitats at the global, regional and local level. The selection of IBAs is a particularly effective way of identifying conservation priorities. IBAs are key sites for conservation – small enough to be conserved in their entirety and often already part of a protected area network,” GBCN president Parag Rangnekar said.

He said that apart from three new areas, the extent of Carambolim Wetlands has been increased to include the important and fragile region of Dhado which has recently become an important wintering ground for many species of migratory birds.

“Goa probably has more sites than the seven identified which also deserve to be notified as IBAs, but a lack of systematic effort in the past to document birds created a void of data,” Rangnekar said. “But with the continuous efforts of GBCN members and other birdwatchers from the State we will be able to fill this gap in the future” he added.

Speaking further, GBCN vice president Pronoy Baidya said that while analysing data on birds of the State they realized there are two species of critically endangered, eight species of vulnerable and 11 species of near threatened birds which have been documented with sufficient data.

He added, “Goa harbours a good population of the vulnerable Lesser Adjutant and Nilgiri Wood-pigeon in certain pockets of the State apart from the identified IBAs”.