Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Goa government has extended by 45 more days, time given to raise objections and suggestion to the declaration of Betal Lake and Karmale Lake (Arla Keri Lake) in Ponda Taluka as wetlands by Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA).
As per earlier notification the last date was May 30. Those interested in making any objection or suggestion, have been asked to forward the same in writing, for consideration of the Government of Goa to the Member Secretary, Goa State Biodiversity Board, Head of Nodal Agency, Goa State Wetland Authority, or at the email address ms-gswa.goa@gov.
In a draft notification, the Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA) has proposed to declare water bodies of Parra, Karmale, Dhakte Lake, Ita Lake, Mayem, Macasana, Orlim, Bandolem, Dhulpe, Sapu, Vodle, Talaulim, Betal, Adsule, Kodal, Manali, Kolamwada, Carambolim, Coneix, Batim, Pale, Sulabhat, durga and Tarvalem as wetlands.
As per the notification, these water-bodies are considered to be “critically significant” for its ecosystem service and biodiversity values for the local communities and society at large.
“It is considered that for sustaining these values, the ecological character of the wetland ecosystem needs to be maintained by regulating developmental activities within the wetland as well as within its zone of influence,” stated the notification that has granted 60 days time to public to comment.
Carambolim has the largest area of over 5.63 lakh sq mts, followed by Durga Lake which is spread over 2.31 lakh sq mtrs and Sapu Lake or Tollem Bandar admeasuring an area of 2.07 lakh sq mtrs. Batim Lake has an area of over 1.67 lakh sq mts while Mayem lake has an area of 1.02 lakh sq mtrs.