State’s biodiversity wealth displayed at Aguada Jail complex

Panaji: An immersive display of Goa’s thriving biodiversity, focused on the Goan monsoon forest, was showcased during the fourth Tourism Working Group Meeting at the Aguada Jail complex. The G20 delegates were also presented with a visual treat in the form of a biodiversity map of Goa.
The biodiversity was on display when G20 delegates visited the newly renovated 17th century fort at Aguada.
Curated by the team at Agaud Goa and Kritika Malhotra, the representation was brought to life by noted naturalists Parag Rangnekar, Omkar Dharwadkar, and Puja Mitra.
“The theme chosen for the G20 meeting required the showcasing of the abundant biodiversity that Goa has to offer,” said Mitra, the founder and director of Terra Conscious. Mitra added, “In Goa, 480 species of birds and animals are found and it was necessary to champion this rich biodiversity.”
The event celebrated the natural bounty of Goa through video projections of the region’s natural wealth and the sounds of the rain, birds, forest ambience, and waterfalls, to vividly encapsulate the monsoon experience. Goa’s forests are part of the Western Ghats, recognised as one of the world’s significant biodiversity hotspots, even older than the Himalayas.
Malhotra said that it is important to bring Goa’s natural heritage to the forefront. “With the monsoon around the corner, we thought that this would be a lovely thing to represent. So, that’s why we thought of recreating the forests of Goa inside the gallery,” Malhotra said. “People are passionate about conservation and wildlife. Therefore, we put up photographs of the different species of wildlife that are found only in Goa.”
Goa is a region of immense importance, home to at least 1,136 rare and endangered mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, spiders, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as 1,750 plant species.
“The team thought a biodiversity map will serve as a perfect display at the venue because it is visually attractive and will give the delegates an opportunity to engage with the wildlife and biodiversity of the state,” Rangnekar said.