Goa mangrove plan to focus on non-intrusive tourism

Panaji: State govt has prepared a mangrove management plan with focus on enhancing non-intrusive eco-tourism activities such as guided nature walks, bird watching, non-motorised boat rides, develop an integrated tourism plan and infrastructure that blends with natural surroundings.The plan is aimed at enhancing mangrove ecosystem integrity, promoting sustainable management and facilitating the rational utilisation of mangrove resources along the Goa coast.The plan outlines priority actions for the administration, management, facilitation and control of mangrove development and management along the Goa coast. It will resolve conflicts between mangrove conservation and Khazan land conservation through scientific methods, utilising mangrove encroacher data and stakeholder knowledge.To conserve and enhance mangrove areas for biodiversity conservation, coastal stabilisation, erosion control, and ecological services, the plan also emphasises the need for biodiversity mapping, including shellfish species, wild stock, breeding grounds of fishes, sacred groves, and mangrove areas that serve as homes for wildlife and migratory birds.The plan encourages the restoration of degraded mangrove areas and the expansion of habitats that are not only resilient to climate change, but can help mitigate climate change.

It also aims to promote community participation in mangrove restoration and resource management. The plan also focuses on promoting sustainable eco-tourism and recreation in mangrove areas and protecting mangrove areas of a specific size with a 50m buffer zone on all sides.“To leverage the institutional capacities of forest department, environment department and other institutes like Goa University, NIO and NGOs by fostering research projects that benefit the state’s mangrove ecosystems,” the plan said.