Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
IUCN category IV (habitat/species management area)
Critically endangered Pseudophilautus amboli [1] in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
Location in Goa, India Show map of Goa Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (India) Show map of India
Location	North Goa, Goa, India
Nearest city	Valpoi
Coordinates	15°34′18″N74°10′15″E / 15.57167°N 74.17083°E / 15.57167; 74.17083
Area	208.48 km2 (80.49 sq mi)
Elevation	800 m (2,600 ft)
Established	18 May 1999

The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is a 208.5-km² (80.5-mi²) protected area in the Indian state of Goa in the Western Ghats of South India. It is located in the North Goa District, Sattari taluka near the town of Valpoi. ^[2] The sanctuary is an area of high biodiversity, and is being considered to become a Project Tiger tiger reserve because of the presence of Bengal tigers. ^[3]

Infrastructure

The sanctuary is administered by the Goa State Forest Department. ^[2] The range forest officer 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. ^[4]

Geography

Goa is the only state in India which has protected the complete Western Ghats' section within a state. Goa's four wildlife sanctuaries are located on the eastern side of the state in the Western Ghats, covering an area of about 750 km² (290 sq mi). ^[5] Mahdei Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park all fall within the Mhadei River basin.^{[ citation needed ]}

Bhimgad Forests, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Goa, India
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     1     30 17     1     31 18     1     33 20     1     34 22     1     33 23     1     29 22     1     27 21     1     27 21     1     28 21     1     30 21     1     30 19     1     30 17 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: [6]
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     0     86 62     0     89 64     0     92 69     0     93 72     0     91 74     0     84 72     0     80 71     0     80 71     0     82 70     0     86 69     0     86 66     0     85 63 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Elevations among the hills of the sanctuary range from 560 m (1,840 ft) in the center to 200 m (660 ft) in the west. The sanctuary includes the Vagheri Hills, some of the highest peaks in North Goa. Vagheri peak at elevation560 m (1,840 ft), the highest in the sanctuary, is near the village of Keri in Sanquelim.^{[ citation needed ]} Other peaks in Goa include Sonsogor, the highest in Goa at 1,166 m (3,825 ft), Catlanchimauli 1,107 m (3,632 ft), Vaguerim 1,100 m (3,600 ft) and Morlemchogar1,000 m (3,300 ft). ^[7]

The Mhadei River, known downstream as the Mandovi River, the lifeline of the state of Goa, originates 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. ^[8]

Waterfalls

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary has many waterfalls, especially the twin 143 m (469 ft) Vazra Sakla waterfalls and the Virdi Falls in the Chorla Ghats region on the escarpment of the Goa-Maharashtra-Karnataka border in the Swapnagandha valley forest near Virdi village.^{[ citation needed ]} The 16 waterfalls at 1.5 km (0.93 mi) up from Hivre village are 15.5 km (9.6 mi) from the Valpoi.^{[ citation needed ]}

The Ladkyacho Vozar plunge waterfall, 1.5 km (0.93 mi) northeast of Surla, Goa's highest village is at Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary is located just to the south of Mhadei in Goa. ^[5]

Fauna

This region is part of the Western Ghats landscape, and is regarded as a Global Biodiversity Hotspot. ^{[9] [10]}

Other mammals seen in the sanctuary include the tiger, ^{[11] [12]} leopard, ^[13] sloth bear, gaur, ruddy mongoose, Asian palm civet, small Indian civet, dhole, jungle cat, mouse deer, wild boar, Indian hare, giant squirrel, flying squirrel, gray langur, Indian pangolin, slender loris, bonnet macaque.^{[ citation needed ]}

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is an International Bird Area (IN177) which satisfies IBA criterion: 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. ^[6] A total of 255 bird species have been recorded in the Sanctuary. Of these, 53 showed direct signs of breeding here. ^[14]

Snakes in the Mhadei Valley and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary include all of the "Big Four" venomous snakes in India: common krait, Russell's viper, saw-scaled viper, spectacled cobra, banded kukri snake, Nilgiri 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, king cobra, Malabar pit viper, ocellated shield tail, ornate flying snake, red sand boa, streaked Kukri snake, striped keelback, Travancore wolf snake, tree snake, Whitaker's sand boa and the yellow-spotted wolf snake.^{[ citation needed ]} Endemic species of amphibians in the sanctuary include the marbled ramanella, Maharashtra bush frog, Beddome's leaping frog and Malabar gliding frog.^{[ citation needed ]}

Mhadei area is known for three rare species of caecilians, Nadkarni's caecilian, which was recently discovered in Keri village. ^[15]

The largest butterfly in South India, the southern birdwing, and the striped tiger, common jezebel, common Indian crow, blue Mormon and other species of butterflies also occur. Prominent among these is the blue tiger butterfly, which can be found until the summer.^{[ citation needed ]}

Flora and Funga

Sacred groves

Sacred groves were once common at almost all villages in Sattari. They traditionally render protection to a variety of flora and fauna. Copardem 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 37,620 m² (404,900 sq ft) 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 villagers protecting their environment. ^[16]

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. During the monsoon, bioluminescent fungi growing on dead wood glitter at night. The grove is also conducive for the growth of a variety of edible mushrooms, such as roen alami, khutyali, sonyali and shringar . ^[16] In addition to mammals, the tall trees attract birds, including the crested serpent eagle, Malabar grey hornbill and great hornbill. ^[16]

Nanoda village has an ancient tradition of nature worship. It is etymologically related to the naked woman tree, locally known as the 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 groves named Nirankarachi Rai after the holy spirit Nirankar: one lies on the border of Maloli and Nanoda and the other in Nanoda. ^[17] 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, because of 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, is now confined to a small patch where hedu, khait (Mimosa catechu) and chafara trees are found. Majestic trees such as bhillo maad have already been felled. ^[17]

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, weathering away. Animals such as sheryo (pangolin) and shekaro (Malabar giant squirrel) are found in sacred groves. ^[17]

Threats

Threats to the unique ecology and biodiversity of the Mhedai Wildlife Sanctuary include illegal heavy vehicular traffic mismanagement of private lands, illegal mining, ^[18] tree-felling, monoculture plantations, industrial activities, poaching, and dams and river diversions, notably the Malaprabha Reservoir Project and The Kalasa-Banduri Nala project. ^[19]

Mhadei tiger reserve

Proposal

On 20 June 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 Bengal 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. The tiger is a conservation dependent species. ^[3] He suggested expanding the tiger reserve beyond the existing Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. ^{[20] [21]}

^[22]

On 8 August 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. ^[23]

On 9 August 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. ^[24]

There is considerable local community support for creation of the tiger reserve which would ensure long term protection of biodiversity-rich areas. ^[3] 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. ^[25]

Tiger presence

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 WWFInternational. ^[26]

The Mhadei region lies along the Vagheri hills which means "abode of tiger". ^[27]

On 24 January 2011 government officials and a senior environmentalist found pugmarks of a tiger adult and a cub near the Anjunem dam, confirming the presence of tiger in the area. Parshuram Kambli, working on the dam first reported the pugmarks. Residents living near the dam supported the claim, stating they have been hearing the tiger roar in the past fortnight. In December 2010, a local resident, Pandurang Gawas, and his son saw a tiger and cub crossing the road that passes alongside the dam. Also in 2011, the Goa Forest Department recorded tiger pug marks in this area during the Goa Wildlife Census conducted with the help of Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India (WII).^{[ citation needed ]}

The 2010 National Tiger Conservation Authority tiger estimation described the Goa stretch of the Western Ghats as an important tiger corridor between Anshi National Park in Karnataka and the Sahyadris in Maharashtra, and confirmed occupancy of Bengal tigers in the state's forests. ^[28] In October, 2009 poachers 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. ^{[29] [30]} In May 2019, camera traps recorded tigers in this sanctuary ^[11] and Mollem National Park, the first records in the state since 2013. ^{[12] [31] [32]}

References

1. Pseudophilautus amboli
2. "WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES". Forest Department, Goa State. 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
3. Sanderson, E.; J. Forrest; C. Loucks; J. Ginsberg; E. Dinerstein; J. Seidensticker; P. Leimgruber; M. Songer; A. Heydlauff; T. O'Brien; G. Bryja; S. Klenzendorf; E. Wikramanayake (2006). Setting Priorities for the Conservation and Recovery of Wild Tigers: 2005-2015. The Technical Assessment (PDF). New York, Washington, D.C.: WCS, WWF, Smithsonian, and NFWF-STF. p. iii. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
4. Kerkar, R. P. (2011). "12 yrs later, sanctuary gets protectors". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 12 September 2011. Retrieved 3 September 2011.
5. "Map Showing National Parks & Sanctuaries". Forest Department, Goa State. Panaji. 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
6. "Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary". Important Bird Areas factsheet. BirdLife International. 2011. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
7. "WESTERN GHATS IN GOA", ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (ENVIS), Saligao, Goa: GOA STATE COUNCIL FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, retrieved 19 August 2011
8. Press Trust Of India (2011). "Goa collecting visual proof of construction on Mhadei river". Hindustan Times . Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
9. "BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS". Conservation International. 2007. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012.
10. Vaz, A. (2010). "Tiger killing in Goa haunts green journalist from Goa". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
11. "Tigress and cubs spotted at Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary". The Times of India . 2019. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
12. Kamat, P. (2019). "Tiger spotted at Goa's only national park". The Hindu . Retrieved 9 July 2019.
13. Kerkar, R. (2011). "Black panther spotted in Mhadei wildlife sanctuary". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
14. "53 bird species found breeding in Mhadei". The Times of India. 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 20 August 2011.
15. "Mhadei region, a treasure trove of caecilians". The Times of India. 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
16. Kerkar, R.P. (2011). "In Copardem, a sacred grove seeks its village's protection". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
17. Kerkar, R. P. (2011). "Nanoda's protective tradition in need of protection". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
18. Kerkar, R.P. (2011). "Illegal mining thrives in Sattari, Bicholim". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
19. Pai, M. (2008). "Mahadayi/Mandovi River Valley" (PDF). Vivekanand Environment Awareness Brigade. pp. 6–9. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2011.
20. "Letter to Digambar Kamat from Jairam Ramesh" (PDF). Ministry of Environment and Forests. New Delhi. 2011. Retrieved 9 July 2011.
21. Fernandes, P. (2011). "Propose Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as tiger reserve". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 6 November 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
22. "Mhadei tiger reserve pro-people: NBW member". The Times of India. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. 2011. Retrieved 11 November 2011.
23. Indo-Asian News Service (2011). "Tigers in Goa? Forest minister dodges queries". Yahoo News India. Yahoo India Pvt. Ltd. Retrieved 29 September 2011.
24. Ministry of Environment & Forests, KP (2011). "New Tiger Reserves". (Release ID :74171). New Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Government of India. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
25. Carmen Miranda; Durgesh Kasbekar; Eddie Fernandes (25 September 2011). "Petition from the Goan diaporsa and all supporters for: 1 – The inclusion of Goa in the nomination of Western Ghats as a UNESCO World Heritage Site 2 – Support of Goa's first Tiger Reserve". Goan Voice Daily Newsletter, UNESCO petition. The Goan Voice UK. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
26. Anderson, E.; J. Forrest; C. Loucks; J. Ginsberg; E. Dinerstein; J. Seidensticker; P. Leimgruber; M. Songer; A. Heydlauff; T. O'Brien; G. Bryja; S. Klenzendorf; E. Wikramanayake (2006). Setting Priorities for the Conservation and Recovery of Wild Tigers: 2005-2015. The Technical Assessment (PDF). New York – Washington, D.C.: WCS, WWF, Smithsonian, and NFWF-STF. pp. 57, 90. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
27. Goankar, P. (2010). "Do we really want to save the tiger?". Goan Observer. Retrieved 16 August 2011.
28. "Status of Tigers, Co-predators and Prey in India, 2010" (PDF). New Delhi: National Tiger Conservation Authority, Ministry of Environment and Forests, GOVERNMENT OF INDIA. 2011. p. 137. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
29. Abram, D. (2010). The Rough Guide to Goa. London: Rough Guides. p. 204. ISBN   978-1-4053-8676-0 . Retrieved 8 December 2011.
30. Gooch, F. (2011). Shoot on Sight. Xlibris Corporation. pp. 88, 89. ISBN   978-1-4568-9984-4 . Retrieved 8 December 2011.
31. Sayed, N. (19 May 2019). "Goa's new visitor: Big cat at Molem national park". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 July 2019.
32. Lerkar, R. P. (15 April 2019). "The Forgotten King Of The Mollem Jungle". The Times of India. Retrieved 9 July 2019.

External sources

• Centre asks Goa for tiger reserve proposal again 15-8-2012
• Bhimagad forest is now wildlife sanctuary, 12-2-2011
• Map