Panaji: Lake Saulem in Purerne in Bardez, with an area of ​​46,010 square meters, has been notified as a seventh wetland of Goa under the rules of the central government’s wetlands (conservation and management).
The lake has been declared wetland because it is significantly critically for ecosystem services and biodiversity values ​​to the local community.
Development activities in wetlands and in the zone of the effect will now be arranged, after the lake has been told wetland.
About 1.3 lakh SQM area will be borne under the zone of the influence of Saulem’s wetland.
Last month, public advice and objections were called and decided, which paved the way for notification of Saulem as a wetland.
“All existing ownership rights and privileges related to wetlands identified and notified will be maintained.
Furthermore, there are no ownership rights or existing properties that will be transferred to the Goa Country Wetland Authority as part of this notification.
Quo status Of the existing ownership of the property that is notified will be maintained, “the notification.
In November, Goa received six first official wetlands under the new central government norms.
They are Lake Xeldem and Lake Nanda in Quepem, Lake Toyak in Chimbel, Dashi Lake in Revora, Sarzora Lake in Chinchinim, and Lake Cottambi.
After an area is declared wetland, every polluting activity or encroachment that is detrimental to this ecosystem is prohibited in the area, including preparing or expanding every industry, disposal or handling of construction waste, solid waste disposal, waste disposal that is not treated.
, among the others.
Whatever encroachment or construction of permanent nature except for the boat dock will also be annulled from the wetland area notified.
However, every traditional fishing activity on wetlands will be allowed to continue and water from wetlands will be pumped for the use of locals, if needed.
Planting every custom tree will also be permitted, provided they are suitable for ecosystems.
Thirty-five main water bodies have been identified in all – with the help of the National Oceanographic Institute – which can be eligible to be declared wetlands.
Apart from seven waterbodies that are notified until now as wetlands, at least 13 others are in the final stage declared wetland.
This includes Lake Bondvoll, Lake Parra, Lake Banastarim, Vodle Tollem and Dhakte Tollem in Benaulim, Tolem Sweep in Velim and Maimollem Lake in Mormugao, and Curca Lake and Gawali-Moula Waterbodies in Curca and Gawali-Moula in Curca.