Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park (GOA)

Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park (GOA)

Subject: Environment

Context: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted clearances for the diversion of 140 hectares of forest land for the South Western Railway’s double-tracking project in Goa amidst protests.

Concept:

• Environmentalists and locals have been protesting against the plan to cut through the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mollem National Park in south Goa as a result of the project.
• Approval for double-tracking between Castlerock railway station in north Karnataka to Kulem railway station in south Goa was given.
• Environmentalists have opposed three linear projects — the double-tracking project, the four-laning of a national highway and the Goa-Yanmar transmission power project.
• The protest is for the reason that the projects could cause large-scale destruction to forests in the Western Ghats, give no benefits to local residents and were aimed at accelerating the transport of coal from the Mormugao Port Trust to Karnataka.
• “Save Mollem” movement led by the Goa Foundation has been protesting against the diversion of forest land since last year.