Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary: Goan Miners Next Target !!!

Some of the wildlife found in Netravali are the Great Pied Hornbills,
Black Panther, Slender Loris and the Giant Squirrel

The Government mapping of the mining leases within a wildlife sanctuary, in a land use map has ruffled the feathers of the State’s anti-mining lobby, which is already gunning for the heads of those in the Government, who had permitted the illegal mining.

“The Goa Government is trying to bring in 336 other mining leases, which are non-operational for years, by including them in the Regional Plan 2021. There is no mining there for years now... why is the CM reviving them now?” noted environment activist Dr.Claude Alvares said.

“Out of 336 leases, 63 are in the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, which is a protected area. Is the next mining thrust going to happen there?” Alvares said.

The Regional Plan is a land use document prepared by the Goa Governments, town and country planning department which was released recently. Mining within the sanctuary was brought to a halt after the area was notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 1996. Claude believes that this could be a means to revive the old dead leases.

The Netravali wildlife sanctuary is situated in the Sanguem Taluka in Eastern Goa. The government of Goa declared Netravali as a wildlife sanctuary to protect its Western Ghat range. It covers an area of 211 sq. km, is connected to the Madei Wildlife Sanctuary and together they cover an area of 420 sq. km.

The Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary which is an extremely significant source of fresh water is known to be named after the Netravali or Neturli which is an important tributary of the Zuari River. One can also see a high range of mountains here which the local habitants consider religious and which are of socio cultural importance to them.

To the north of the Netravali wildlife sanctuary lies the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary lies to its south. Some of the wildlife found here are the Great Pied Hornbills, Black Panther, Slender Loris and the Giant Squirrel. Also a number of many other animals are found.