Home / Environment / Goa's Grasslands Threatened: Bird Species Uplisted
Goa's Grasslands Threatened: Bird Species Uplisted
19 Feb
Summary
- Four bird species in Goa uplisted to 'near threatened' by IUCN.
- Indian Courser, a grassland dependent bird, newly recorded in Goa.
- Waste from recent event found on Quitol plateau, raising concerns.
Ecologists and wildlife enthusiasts in Goa are expressing growing concern following the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) decision to uplist four bird species to the 'near threatened' category. Significantly, three of these species rely on the open grasslands and plateaus found within the state. The Indian Courser, a bird characterized by its distinctive markings and preference for dry, open habitats, was recently observed at Quitol plateau, a notable new record for Goa.
These plateaus, such as Quitol, are vital ecosystems supporting considerable plant and animal diversity, including endemic species like the herb Dipkadi. However, their ecological fragility is facing new challenges. Waste from the recent India Energy Week, held at the ONGC Advanced Training Institute in Quitol from January 27-30, was found littering the plateau. Despite initial cleanup efforts alerted to ONGC, further waste was subsequently discovered, underscoring the immediate threats to this sensitive environment.
