Biodiversity hotspots in Goa

• BirdLife International, a conservation organisation, has recognized three new sites in Goa as hotspots for protection. The sites have been added to their list of “Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas”.
• These three hotspots site are: Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Navelim Wetlands and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Goa earlier had four recognised biodiversity areas: Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, Carambolim Wetlands, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Biodiversity hotspots:

• Biodiversity hotspots are areas that support natural ecosystems that are largely intact and where native species and communities associated with these ecosystems are well represented. They are also areas with a high diversity of locally endemic species, which are species that are not found or are rarely found outside the hotspot.
• The current, planned or potential management activities in hotspots place the natural values at risk, and it is likely this risk will increase in the future in the absence of active conservation management.
• Because the natural values of hotspots are largely intact, undertaking action now to maintain these values has the potential to provide value-for-money in contributing to our efforts in biodiversity conservation.

About BirdLife International

• BirdLife International, worldwide alliance of nongovernmental organizations that promotes the conservation of birds and their habitats.
• The group was established in London in 1922 by ornithologist and conservationist T. Gilbert Pearson under the name International Committee for Bird Protection. The group was renamed International Committee for Bird Preservation in 1928, International Council for Bird Preservation in 1960, and BirdLife International in 1994.
• It has a membership of more than 2.5 million people and partner organizations in more than 100 countries.
• The group’s headquarters are located in Cambridge.

By: Vishal