Camping, Goa Sanctuary Safaris Coming Soon

PANAJI

A plan to improve habitats in Goa’s sanctuaries and protected forests is in the works and Forestry Minister Vishwajit Rane will lead a delegation of forest officials to Delhi next Monday to seek assistance from the Ministry of Forestry. Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

The plan will include both long-term and short-term measures, including ideas for developing ecotourism activities, Rane told media.

Camping sites in wildlife sanctuaries with amenities, measures to improve wildlife habitats leading to conditions that will help develop wildlife safaris, ecological trails are being considered, he said.

A Bondla Zoo development project with the participation of private actors is also in preparation.

Rane said two large campsites are planned at Surla in Sattari and Cotigao in Canacona.

He also said that all the turtle nesting sites currently overseen by the forest department, especially at Morjim in North Goa and Galgibag in Canacona, will also be developed in order to attract young people from Goa as well as tourists.

The plan will also include the development of Chorao which is home to the famous Salim Ali bird sanctuary, he said, adding that “ecological tracks” will be developed at all the sanctuaries.

All plans will take into account the participation of local communities, he said, adding that he will lead a delegation to meet Union Environment and Forestry Minister Bhupendra Yadav to explore and to seek financial support for the Centre’s plan.

Rane said Karnataka’s former senior chief forest conservator, Vinay Luthra, will advise forest officials in developing the plan.

Meanwhile, Rane’s wife, Deviya Rane, who heads the Goa Forest Development Corporation, has hinted that the Surla development in Sattari, which adjoins Chorla ghat and borders Karnataka, could be developed as a resort. of Mountain.

Ms Rane said several sites in Sattari which have natural waterfalls where picnickers throng, particularly during the monsoon months, will also be monitored as these areas are littered with rubbish.

She also highlighted the need to involve the local community in activities that could provide them with livelihoods at these sites.