Development projects have left Goa’s forests in danger of disappearing!4 min read
Reading Time: 3 minutesWhen we think about Goa, the first thoughts are sandy beaches, delicious food and summer vacations. But did you know that some parts of Goa, which fall in the Western Ghats, are biodiversity hotspots, which means these areas home to several animals, birds and plants!
These hotspots are now under threat after the Goa government decided to push for the expansion of a railway line, a national highway and also set up a power line.
These three projects together will cut through Goa’s oldest wildlife sanctuary, the Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and its sister, the Mollem National Park, and will result in the cutting down of 59,024 trees! Angered over this loss of natural habitat, Goan residents, and especially students, have started to protest against these projects by taking to the streets, and also spreading awareness on social media.
Social media pages such as mollem.memory.project and mymollem.goa on Instagram have been filled with art of different kinds – from dance routines to customised face masks – which has caught the attention of people across the country.
First, let’s take a look at how many species will be impacted by the project.
Home to creatures great and small
These areas are home to more than 70 species of mammals, 235 bird species, 219 butterfly species, 44 fish species, 45 reptile species and 27 amphibian species!
Students take the lead
Though schools haven’t opened yet due to the ongoing pandemic, students have been putting their best foot forward in spreading awareness on this issue – concerned citizens in London and Australia are speaking up too!
Apart from candlelight protests, signature campaigns and letters to the government, it’s the artwork, poems and short clips by the students that is making an impact. Have a look at the video below to hear what the children of Mollem to have say.
Artists have also been creating some impactful visuals of the wildlife in the area and the importance of protecting it.
Want to learn more about the project? Click on the link and see all the great work being done to bring attention to the issue – https://linktr.ee/savemollem
Sources: The Better India, CNBC Network18, Hindustan Times
