Tag: biodiversity

Events in Goa

Parag Rangnekar Highlights Goa’s Fast-Changing Ecology Through Photography

Tanisha Cardozo

Ecologist and naturalist Parag Rangnekar has drawn attention to Goa’s rapidly changing ecology and its misunderstood landscapes, particularly the lateritic plateaus often seen as barren wastelands. Speaking at a lecture titled “Wild Goa Through the Viewfinder” at Clube Tennis de Gaspar Dias as part of the club’s centenary celebrations, Rangnekar explained that beneath the rust-red crust of these plateaus lie thriving ecosystems that host unique species of grasses, insects, and birds linking the state’s northern and southern ecological zones. He described Goa as a transitional region within the Western Ghats, holding a mix of species from both ends of the range.

Using his extensive collection of photographs, Rangnekar discussed how visual documentation helps scientists and citizens alike understand changes in biodiversity. His images reveal a decline in sightings of several endemic birds and a simultaneous increase in dry-land species like the Indian grey hornbill, suggesting potential local climate changes. He emphasized that photography can capture subtle ecological shifts, serving as both a research tool and a medium for environmental education.

Rangnekar also shared how, through photography, he and his team discovered a new dragonfly species later named Idionyx gomantakensis, first observed in 2008 and officially published in 2013. He highlighted the power of observation, recounting instances where chance wildlife encounters, when documented, contributed to scientific understanding — including what may be the world’s only photograph of a spider feeding on a bat.

Through his presentation, Rangnekar underscored that photography is not merely an art form but an essential means of recording Goa’s fast-changing natural heritage, urging people to view these landscapes not as wastelands but as vital living ecosystems worth preserving.

Travel

Spiti Valley Declared India’s First Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO

allycaralgoa

In a landmark announcement at the 37th UNESCO MAB-ICC meeting in Hangzhou, China (Sept 2025), Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh was officially declared India’s first-ever Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.

Located at breathtaking altitudes between 3,300 and 6,600 meters, Spiti Valley covers nearly 7,770 square kilometers and is known for its stark beauty, ancient monasteries, and rare biodiversity. The valley’s fragile alpine ecosystem — featuring glaciers, river valleys, and snow-covered peaks — supports endangered species like the Snow Leopard, Blue Sheep, and Himalayan Ibex.

Beyond its ecological significance, Spiti is a living museum of Himalayan culture. The region’s centuries-old Buddhist monasteries, including Key, Tabo, and Dhankar, stand as beacons of peace and spirituality. The communities here have sustained themselves through traditional mountain farming, deep respect for nature, and a shared sense of responsibility toward the environment.

This UNESCO recognition will strengthen efforts to:

  • 🌿 Conserve Spiti’s unique alpine habitats and biodiversity
  • 💧 Promote sustainable, low-impact livelihoods for local communities
  • 🦋 Encourage responsible tourism that protects the valley’s fragile balance

Experts believe the designation will also bring global attention to Spiti’s climate resilience and cultural richness, setting an example for other high-altitude conservation zones across the world.

With this achievement, India now has 13 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, reaffirming the nation’s growing leadership in sustainability, ecology, and heritage preservation.

For travelers, Spiti Valley is now officially recognized as a global conservation treasure — a destination to be admired, respected, and preserved for generations to come.

Social

JCI Panaji Launches “One LO Sustainable Project” with CCP and Goa Forest Department

Tanisha Cardozo

JCI Panaji has made a significant contribution to environmental conservation and sustainability by launching the “One LO Sustainable Project” in collaboration with the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) and the Goa Forest Department . This community-driven initiative focused on planting several medicinal saplings across strategic locations in Panaji, with the goal of enhancing biodiversity, promoting ecological balance, and reviving traditional healing practices through the cultivation of native medicinal plants.

The project was formally inaugurated in Panaji in the presence of several dignitaries, including Mayor Rohit Monserrate, who graced the event as Chief Guest. Applauding the efforts of JCI Panaji, the Mayor highlighted how such grassroots projects are essential for the sustainable growth of the city and encouraged other youth-led organizations to join the movement for a greener Panaji.

Also attending the launch were Deu Tukaram Khavnekar (Forest Guard), Amit Rajaram Kalangutkar (Forest Guard), Gautam Kharangate (CEO, Rashtra TV), and JCI Panaji President Sandeep Kerkar, alongside a passionate group of JCI Panaji members who were instrumental in bringing the project to life.

Speaking at the event, Sandeep Kerkar emphasized the dual benefits of planting medicinal species – supporting both the environment and preserving indigenous knowledge systems related to natural healing. “Through this initiative, we aim to inspire citizens to create green spaces in their homes and neighborhoods,” he said.

The ceremony concluded with a pledge by JCI Panaji to nurture the saplings and expand the project in the coming months. The initiative aligns with the global JCI mission and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

This is a proud moment for Panaji, as civic bodies and citizen groups come together to protect and nurture the natural environment for future generations.

Events in Goa

Prerana Foundation & Progressive Front Celebrate Friendship Day with Trek to Mhadei Waterfalls

Tanisha Cardozo

Valpoi, Goa – August 3, 2025: In a heartfelt and energizing celebration of Friendship Day, the Prerana Foundation and Progressive Front of Goa brought together nature lovers, youth, and senior citizens for a memorable trek to Shivling Waterfall in the ecologically rich Mhadei region of Valpoi.

Starting from Pal Village, the trek was led by local expert Shri Vithat Shelke of Keri, Sattari. With his guidance, the group explored not only the forest trail but also the rich biodiversity and the ecological challenges faced by the Mhadei sanctuary.

The event drew 53 participants from across Goa—from Canacona in the south to Mapusa in the north—ranging in age from 10 to 66 years. This diversity made the event a truly inclusive intergenerational experience, with stories, songs, and shared laughter along the trail.

At the heart of the journey lay the Shivling Waterfall, a serene and powerful cascade nestled deep within the forest. Here, participants cooled off, clicked group photos, shared meals, and reflected on the beauty and fragility of Goa’s natural landscapes.

More than just a trek, the initiative was a celebration of connection—with friends, with nature, and with the values of sustainability. It emphasized the importance of outdoor engagement and environmental consciousness in today’s fast-paced digital world.

By organizing this event on Friendship Day, the Prerana Foundation and Progressive Front of Goa successfully reminded all that friendship is not just with people—it can also be with the planet.

Social

Goa’s Overlooked Eight-Legged Arachnids Need Attention; ‘Development’ Needs to go Hand-in-Hand With Ecology

allycaralgoa

Panaji, June 2025 – Embankments along the national highway in Mollem, home to a rare tarantula species, were wiped away due to road widening projects and heightened the risk of local extinction, according to Prof. Manoj Ramakant Borkar, who at a recent MOG Sunday talk at the Museum of Goa, Pilerne, stressed that development goes hand in hand with ecology. These tarantulas and other arachnids, Borkar said, are dependent on specific microhabitats and microclimatic regimes, which cannot be replicated beyond the mounds and burrows of the embankment.

In his talk titled ‘Whip Spiders, Whip Scorpions & Tarantulas: The ‘Not-So-Charismatic’ Wildlife of Goa,’ Borkar emphasised that tarantulas have restricted and limited dispersal and that whip spiders and whip scorpions remain largely unaccounted for by major conservation frameworks. 

“They have not been assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, nor are they included under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act schedules,” says Borkar, head of the Department of Zoology, Carmel College for Women, South Goa and founder of the Biodiversity Research Cell.

The talk included detailed insights into the anatomy and traits of these species. The whip scorpion, also known as a vinegaroon, is named after its defence mechanism, in which the creature lifts its whip and sprays a vinegar-smelling substance on the provoker. Another unique feature of the tarantulas, according to Borkar, is their behaviour of layering their burrow with their webs, whether it is a pipe or a crevice in a tree.

Drawing from ongoing fieldwork, Borkar revealed the elaborate mating behaviour of whip spiders in which the smaller male takes the lead. “We have established a new hypothesis, where the prey drive is overridden by mating priorities,” he said.

He believes Goans are extremely eco-conscious and eco-sensitive, but not always vocal. Those who speak up are silenced with incentives. “All those who speak for the environment are not anti-development. They’re only insisting on sustainable development. You just cannot replace the earth’s capital with manufactured capital,” he said.

The talk touched on the role of ecotourism and its potential impact on Goa’s ecology. While it has the potential to raise awareness, Borkar warned that its focus has often shifted toward recreation and commercial gain. “We need to be ethical in our approach to tourism. Without strong environmental regulation, there can be no sustainability,” he said.