14 more water bodies to be declared wetlands

NT NETWORK

Panaji

Underlining the importance of wetlands not only as sources of water but also as ecosystems that prevent land degradation and desertification, the technical committee of Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA) has identified 14 more water bodies for priority restoration and approved them for draft notification, giving two months to the public to file their objections and suggestions so that the water bodies can be declared as wetlands.

A total of 12 of these identified water bodies that have been approved for draft notification are located in South Goa – Talaulim Lake, Curtorim Lake, Sonbem Lake, Macasana Lake, Mai Tollem, Bandolem Lake, Ambulor Lake, Pali Lake, Kamala Lake, Udden Lake, Orlim Lake and Tarvale Lake. The two other identified water bodies – Sulabhat Lake and Mayem Lake – are in North Goa.

The wetland authority has so far notified a total of six wetlands, which are Cottombi Lake (Quepem), Toyyar Lake (Chimbel), Sarzora Lake (Salcete), Xeldem Lake (Quepem), Dhashi Lake (Bardez) and Nanda Lake (Quepem). Five more identified lakes – Carambolim, Batim, Durga, Bondvol and Salem – have been draft notified and in the process of final notification under the
wetland rules.

Brief documents of 24 other water bodies have been prepared by the empanelled agency National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) and will be placed before the technical committee of wetland authority for identification of wetlands under Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2017.

A wetland is a land area that is saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, and takes on the characteristics of a distinct ecosystem.

The Wetland Conservation Rules prohibit setting up or expansion of industries and disposal of construction and demolition waste within
the wetlands.