In News:

An adult tigress and three cubs have been spotted in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary in Goa marking the first time evidence of the species has been recorded in the forests bordering the states of Maharashtra and Karnataka since 2020.

Key Highlights:

Location and Geography:

• It is located near Chorla Ghat, between North Goa and Belgavi, and borders Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• The sanctuary is traversed by the Mhadei River, which meets the sea at Panaji, Goa.

Ecological Significance:

• It is part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and shares this ecosystem with Mollem National Park and other protected areas in Goa.
• The sanctuary is integral to wildlife corridors connecting the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) and Kali Tiger Reserve (Karnataka), critical for tiger conservation.

Flora and Fauna:

• It is home to diverse wildlife, including the critically endangered Long-billed vultures that nest at Vazra Falls.
• The region supports a variety of flora and fauna due to its biodiversity-rich Western Ghats ecosystem.

Conservation Status and Recommendations:

• Goa is the only state in India to have its entire portion of the Western Ghats under state protection, with Mhadei WLS being a key area.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recommended that Mhadei WLS be designated as a tiger reserve to enhance protection efforts.
• The sanctuary is a potential candidate for inclusion under Project Tiger.
• In 2020, a Royal Bengal tigress and her cubs were tragically poisoned due to human-animal conflict.

Mahadayi Water Dispute:

• The Mahadayi (Madei, Mandovi) River is a source of dispute between Karnataka and Goa regarding water sharing.
• Karnataka seeks to divert water from the river to the Malaprabha River basin for drinking water supply in several districts, through the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project.
• The matter is currently being heard in the Supreme Court.

Why in the News?

In a recent development, the Government of Goa has been directed by the Goa Bench of the Bombay High Court to take action within the next three months. Specifically, they are required to officially designate the 208 sq. km. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) along with its adjoining areas as a tiger reserve, as per the court's decision.

Key Facts About Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary:

Location:

• It is located in the Northern Part of Goa, Sanguem taluka, near Valpoi town.
• The sanctuary is named after the Mhadei River (also known as Mandovi River), which originates from the Sahyadri range of mountains in Karnataka (Belgaum district) and falls in the Arabian Sea at Panaji crossing Goa.
• There are a number of picturesque waterfalls, including Vazra Sakla Falls and Virdi Falls.
• It is known for its nesting grounds of critically endangered Long-billed vultures near Vazra Falls.

 Flora and Fauna

• The sanctuary is abundant with lush vegetation, characterized by a dense cover of moist deciduous trees, interspersed with pockets of evergreen species.
• t is particularly well-known for its sacred groves that protect rare and indigenous trees.
• Faunas like Indian gaur, Barking deer, Sambar deer, Asian palm civet, small Indian civet, Wild boar, Indian hare etc. found here.
• The sanctuary holds immense allure for herpetologists due to its impressive diversity of snakes, encompassing all four of India's notorious venomous species - the Indian krait, Russell's viper, Saw-scaled viper, and Spectacled cobra.