Restoring the Soul of Salcete

Published on: April 23, 2011

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By Dr Nandkumar M Kamat

GSPCB has only been engaged in academic research for last 20 years. GSPCB, which enjoys powerful mandate under very strict laws, somehow forgets that the first commitment of the chairman and members of the Board is first to the people, then conservation of environment and finally their political bosses. People in the Sal river basin should know that the GSPCB has not been following the MINARS national guidelines (known as MINARS/27/2007-08) for water quality monitoring despite having manpower and expensive analytical instruments. These were issued by the chairman of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Mr Mauskar on December 28, 2007. I checked available data about the pollution status of the Sal River from latest available annual report of GSPCB for 2009-10. GSPCB appears to have censored the data on dangerous pesticides - Alpha BHC, Beta BHC, Gama BHC, (Lindane), OP-DDT, PP-DDT, Alpha Endosulphan, Beta Endosulphan, Aldrin, Dieldrin, 2, 4-D, Carboryl (Carbamate), Malathian, Methyl Parathian, Anilophos, Chloropyriphos.
I suspect that for political reasons GSPCB may not have carried out these tests once a year, during the monsoon season, as recommended by CPCB. GSPCB has not informed the people on the eastern and western banks and the fishermen making a living from the river about the significance of their pollution findings.
GSPCB report hides MINARS normal values/criteria for water. Does GSPCB expect people in the Sal river basin to develop cancers? GSPCB monitors Sal River at Jacknibandh, Kharebandh, Orlim, Rumdar, Mungul and Pulwado. It has another station at Pazarkhoni, Cuncolim.
The values at the Cuncolim station show that, most probably, metallic pollutants from metallurgical industries within the Cuncolim industrial estate have entered the river. Besides, dissolved oxygen levels show shocking values indicating the slow death of life in river. This is very bad news because the concentration of heavy metals like chromium, cadmium, lead, nickel and copper is reaching alarming levels. These metals were supposed to be below detectable levels.
People should immediately give up exploitation and consumption of shellfish from this area because heavy metals get concentrated in their meat. Two years ago, in the April of 2009, I wrote a series of four articles in this daily to draw the attention of the people and the government to the ecological tragedy of the Sal River. I had urged Velim MLA, Filipe Neri Rodrigues, a constituency nursed by the same river, to form a River Sal Basin Management Authority (RSBMA) and prepare a detail project report for eco-restoration of the river. With a length of 35 kms, basin area of 301 sq kms and runoff of 700 million cubic metres per year, Sal River is the third largest in Goa and needs treatment deserving that rank. It is high time the people of Verna, Consua, Cuelim, Cansaulim,  Arossim, Majorda, Calata, Seraulim ,  Benaulim, Varca, Orlim, Carmona, Cavelossim, Nuvem, Margao, Navelim, Sirlim, Deusua, Chinchinim, Cuncolim, Assolna, Velim and Betul unite to demand for a systematic eco-restoration, conservation and sustainable management of the river. Their ecological security, security from natural calamities such as flash floods similar to Canacona in October 2009 depends on the health and ecological integrity of this river. The river has maintained and sustained all these beautiful villages for several centuries.
The freshwater zone from source at Verna to Margao needs special attention because massive encroachments and siltation of the channel have truncated its normal course. Near Margao the river is almost unrecognisable. The saline tidal zone from Kharebandh to Betul is very eco sensitive. The salinity of the river increases as it reaches Sinquetim, Navelim.
Just a century ago this entire area was a major salt production zone of India. The mosaic of salt pans, visible even today from Google Earth satellite images, shows the lost economic glory of Sal River. Meticulously the local communities had built this massive infrastructure. The tidal effect in Sal River becomes more pronounced beyond Sinquetim. It is felt strongly at Varca. From Varca to Betul, the river assumes an interesting identity of being India’s only tropical estuary which follows a course parallel to the coastline or the beaches.
Sal River had a violent tectonic berth. Now human interference in her ecosystem and ecological neglect may spell an equally painful demise for this river. How? Pollution values show that the river is fighting for oxygen because of the sewage, domestic effluent and trade effluents that are dumped in it. Very wisely GSPCB has not published the values for phosphorus otherwise the growth of aquatic weeds would have matched these values. After the river continuously receives pollution load, heavy metals, oil, grease, pesticides, nitrates, phosphates, and faecal matter that boost pathogens, the Sal River will become the sewer of Salcete - an open drain similar to Panaji’s Santa Inez creek. If the death of the river is slow it is because of the tidal effect and the monsoon discharges. But the bottlenecks near Betul and Cavelossim are causing difficulty for the tidal clock.
The first indication of a dying river is already seen in oxygen depletion and eutrophication. The second stage will be the decay of organic matter due to anoxic conditions, the death of the remaining fish and shellfish and the generation of offensive odours due to methane, ammonia and hydrogen sulphide gasses. Dead fish will be reported from both banks of the river. The third stage will see increase in siltation, heavy shoal formation and congestion of flow. At this stage, flooding of interior areas near both banks will be reported - especially in low lying villages. The effect would be transmitted upstream and would impact the entire Verna-Nuvem-Margao sub-basin. In her last hours the dry bed of the Sal River will see extension of the urban areas with constructions coming up right inside her channel. The river now narrowed to a few metres would get trained by the developers and would end up as an open gutter.
Finally, in the next 20 years, the map of the river will have to be redrawn because only the stretch between Cavelossim to Betul would survive. Considering the high population and settlement density of Salcete and continuous expansion of urban pockets on eastern and western banks of the river- the future scenario is very grim. Death of Sal River would also spell doom to coastal occupations and beach tourism in Salcete. When the soul is lost – Salcete will be lost. Whatever remains will be claimed by rising sea levels.Expectedly, the Sal River, the soul of the Salcete taluka, is again in the news. The credit for the neglect this river suffers goes to indifferent village panchayats, heavyweight politicians of the area, and the inefficient Goa State Pollution Control Board (GSPCB).

How Natural Radioactivity Harms Goans

Published on: April 30, 2011

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By Dr Nandkumar M Kamat

After the Japanese nuclear catastrophe I have been researching material which can tell us something on the natural radiation dose to which we here in Goa get exposed. This work is absolutely necessary in public interest because people are now concerned about operational Kaiga and the proposed Jaitapur mega nuclear reactors. My own university and the nearby NIO had been a great disappointment in this regard. Scientists from these public funded institutes need to proactively reveal any information about natural background radiation which they have for any location or samples in Goa. There is a solid lid on such information which is a sad comment on our research culture. But the published research since 1986 is now available from radiation health physicists outside Goa.
Neither the Goa state pollution control board nor the state STE department has cared to prepare and disclose a natural radiation Atlas of Goa. So people are taking chances with their lives and the medical sector is blindly ruling out natural radiation and the atmospheric nuclear fallout which we get in Goa as the probable potential cause of various cancers.
What is natural radiation? I referred to the publication of health physics division of BARC (1986) by Nambi and co-workers. According this publication, nearly 75 per cent of the radiation dose to the public arises from the natural background. BARC claims that mankind has in fact evolved in a natural background radiation environment which can be basically divided into four components: (i) cosmic rays originating in outer space: it has a slight variation with the latitude but increases markedly with altitude. (ii) primordial radioactivity in the rocks and soils: the outer half-metre layer of the earth’s crust contributes effectively to almost all of this component of the background radiation at any location; the radioistopes responsible are daughter products of natural U and Th and K-40. (iii) internal radioactivity distributed within the body in its tissues: the major contribution arises from K-40. (iv) lung irradiation due to radon and thoron inhaled through air and their daughter products; this is generally higher inside a building because of restricted ventilation.
What is intriguing on the background of the veil of secrecy by Goa government is the justification given by BARC for understanding the levels of background natural radiation. BARC believes that – “A knowledge of the population exposure to natural radiation and the general distribution of exposure as is not only important for its own sake but also because: (i) it creates a proper perspective vis-à-vis the radiation insult caused by the nuclear industry and (ii) it helps in epidemiological studies correlating radiation exposure.
BARC report conducted studies in Panaji and Marmagoa and concluded in 1986 that the radiation levels were below the natural average for these two stations. They calculated Goa’s per capita natural radiation dose as 600 microSieverts per year and population dose as 215 Sieverts per year estimated with 1981 census data. For the members of public, the maximum permissible whole body effective dose limit is 1000 microSieverts in a year. So BARC reports indicate that people in Panaji and Marmagoa receive only 60 per cent of the dose. But both these towns account for only 15 percent of the state’s population and less than half a percent of geographical area.
What the BARC missed has been published by Scientist D N Avadhani and his colleagues from Mangalore University. In their October 2001 study titled - Dietary intake of 210Po and 210Pb in the environment of Goa of south-west Coast of India. Both these are potent poisons-notorious slow killers. They dealt with the distribution and activity intake of 210Po and 210Pb in food, diet, and potable water samples of Goa. They estimated committed effective dose due to ingestion of these radionuclides. They detected activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb in about 30 food and diet samples from different places of Goa in order to know the distribution and intake of these radionuclides. They were surprised to find that activity concentration of 210Po in fish and prawn samples were significantly higher than concentrations found in vegetable and rice samples. Higher concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb were observed in leafy vegetables than in non-leafy vegetables. Among the diet samples the activity concentrations of 210Po and 210Pb in non-vegetarian meal samples were relatively higher than in vegetarian meal and breakfast samples. The committed effective dose due to annual intake of 210Po was found to be 94.6 microSv, 49.1 microSv, 10.5 microSv, and 2.2 microSv and that of 210Pb found to be 81.6 microSv, 59.9 microSv, 14.6 microSv, and 2.0 microSv for the ingestion of non-vegetarian meal, vegetarian meal, breakfast, and potable water, respectively. So we would like to know the official stand of FDA authorities of Goa about the natural radiation levels in our diet.
In another paper (2005) authored by Dr Avadhani it has been proven that radioactive Radium and Polonium is deposited in Goa from atmospheric precipitation. This study also found that Radioactive Radium, Thorium and Potassium leaches out from granite rocks of Canacona where they detected higher levels of these radionuclides.
Canacona soils have higher levels of radioactive Radium, Potassium and Thorium. Then why did all the medical research teams which investigated the causes for the kidney failures in Canacona taluka ignore this dangerous dimension? Along with alkaline groundwater I have suspecting that the natural radioactivity could be a cause of the high prevalence of kidney diseases in Canacona. I won’t be surprised if this lead proves to be correct.
The Government of Goa needs to have an active collaboration with Dr Avadhani’s team to survey and sample all rocks, minerals, soil types, water resources, vegetation and come out proactively with a detail village and town wise natural radiation map of Goa. People have right to know that the place where they live or the tourists reside is normal from radiation angle, the houses have tolerable Radon emissions, drinking and irrigation water and locally grown food which they consume is safe from radionuclide contamination. The world 25 years after Chernobyl disaster is now moving very cautiously on anything that is nuclear. Many genetic disorders, tumours and cancers could be accounted Our government is afraid to tell us how much natural radiation which we, including the cabinet ministers and MLAs receive and what radionuclides we get from our diet. Even the granite tiles and tabletops generate radioactivity. But there are no standards for such materials in India.

The Neglected Fruits of Goa

Published on: May 7, 2011

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By Dr Nandkumar M Kamat

species - Annona reticulosa (bullock’s heart) and Annona muricata (palpanas), three related species of cultivated jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), acidic bilimbi (Averrhoa bilimbi), carambolam or starfruit (Averrhoa carambola), raj aawla (Phyllanthus acidus), Adam’s apple or adanva (Mimusops / Manilkara kauki), zagama and chafera belonging to Flocurtia species - this is not a complete list of neglected fruits  of Goa.
For past 50 years the agriculture department has done virtually nothing to promote these species. Clubbed under “minor fruit crops” there is only a limited academic interest in these fruits - many of which can be found only in Goa and the Konkan. The Goa state horticulture corporation which is promoting cultivation of hybrid crops has also turned its’ back on these fruits and it is the same story regarding the Goa forest development corporation and the plantation wing of the Forest department. So who would then encourage the cultivation of these fruit species?
These fruits attract premium price in the market. Zamb - Syzigium jambos is a nice, tasty, soft, fleshy fruit. The pale green variety is seen in markets more frequently than the attractive small coral red and the very delicious and sponge like pinkish one. The last two varieties have become very rare now. A few families in Bardez and Salcete may have these trees. The pale green Zamb fruits are sold for ` 20 a dozen. These are semi evergreen trees and provide nice shade in the garden. Very few people engage in commercial plantation of Jamun or Jambul. Most of the stock which comes to market is from collection from wild jambul trees. There are at least five varieties - the small pink, the small black, the medium pinkish black, the large purplish black and the large black.
A large number of old jambul trees from Tiswadi, Bardez and Ponda have been cut. So now most of the supply of Jambul comes from the Sawantwadi area. The prices have escalated to ` 80 per hundred.
The Portuguese are credited with the introduction of the Annona species in India. But the government did not promote cultivation of bullock’s heart and palpanas species. It is very rare to see these fruits in local markets despite their taste and value. Those who bring a few bullock’s heart fruits to the market demand premium price of ` 60-80 per fruit.
Palpanas reminds one of Durian. It grows very well in the soils of Bardez but there is negligible production. Goa is endowed with a rich diversity of Artocarpus fruits. Panas or the jackfruit is a major fruit of Goa. There is surplus production but no market. The crisp kapo variety and the juicy, rasal variety - are both popular. At least 50 products can be made from local jackfruits. Nothing goes to waste. Even the seeds can be roasted and consumed.
Compared to the jackfruit the story of the breadfruit - Artocarpus altilis, is different. There is more demand and less supply. Breadfruit trees are well adapted to the soils of Goa. A breadfruit promotion mission is required. A single large breadfruit is sold for ` 60 which shows how wealth can be generated from breadfruit plantations. Stress has to be given on the diseases of breadfruit trees which cause fruit drop. For landscaping also breadfruits are an excellent species. Being evergreen with wide a canopy, breadfruit trees can add to the quality of the local environment.
Another rare but neglected variety is Artocarpus integer - it looks like a jackfruit but is not the same species. However the agriculture department has no information on distribution of Artocarpus heterophyllus and Artocarpus integer species. It may wake up only after a multinational seed company makes them an offer to source germplasm of these species.
Nothing has been done to promote otamb fruits produced by another Artocaprus species - Artocaprus lakoocha. The rind is a good source of organic acids. Although bilimbi and carambolam trees are common in Goa’s rural areas, there is not much emphasis on improving the cultivar and promoting their value added products like – sliced, salted and dried bilimbi, bilimbi pickles, production of oxalic acid from bilimbi, etc. Ripe bilimbis can be used for wine production. Carambolam make excellent pickles and jams. Both these fruits are not recommended for people with kidney problems as the oxalate content is high. Carambolam wine is popular in South East Asia.
A form of gooseberry - raj aawala - Phyllanthus acidus is an excellent source of Vitamin C. But people plant this species more for ornamental purposes and waste the abundant fruits. The fruits make tasty sweet and sour pickles and jams.
Zagama and Chaferam are now rarely seen in the markets. These fruits of the Flocurtia species have good nutritional value. At least Goa’s major educational institutions could have raised gardens of these fruits.
The Portuguese planted Adanva trees near the churches and chapels. Then these beautiful evergreen trees spread to the interiors of villages. But during the harvesting period (December-March) very small crops are now seen in the markets.
Six years ago I had paid ` 300 for 100 fruits. There needs to be a systematic attempt to use these luxuriant trees for landscaping of church and temple premises. So far no thought has been given to use these species for roadside arboriculture.
Goans patronised these fruits for several centuries because they love to experiment with novel plant species. It is the duty of the village panchayats to catalogue the wealth of the fruit trees in their jurisdiction and provide incentives to cultivators. Most of these fruit species are garden crops and don’t require very large tracts of land for cultivation.
If villages in Tiswadi, Bardez, Ponda, Salcete and Marmagoa keep a target of planting just 10-20 trees of each of the above species every year then these areas would turn into tropical fruit gardens. National horticulture mission needs to be converted into State fruits promotion mission.
Coloured fruits, fruits with phenolics and anti-oxidants, fruits with beneficial pigments have been highly recommended as probiotics to keep away various forms of diseases and cancers. Goans are compelled to eat temperate fruits imported from China, Australia, New Zealand, Chile only because there is inadequate supply of traditional seasonal fruits.
The neglected fruits of Goa need focus of the civil society before their diversity is completely lost. Poor crops of Cashew and Mangoes indicate that local fruits have no real local champions. For the next generation, the photographs of Zams, bhedsa, palpanas, zagama, adanvas, chaferas may be the sole consolation.

Three colourful varieties of cultivated Zamb (Syzigium jambos - pale green, coral red and pinkish), five different varieties of Jamun / Jambul (Syzigium cumuni), two rare annona (custard apple family)

The Neglected Mammals of Goa

Published on: May 14, 2011

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By Dr Nandkumar M Kamat


This is the first part in a series of articles as a curtain raiser for the world environment day - June 5, 2011, and to focus public attention on neglected faunal creatures of Goa.
Goans get carried away by the hype created over a few species of animals which get good press. But in the process the rest of the fauna gets neglected. Understanding animals is a serious biological science which has been diluted by amateur busybodies in Goa.
It is awful to see hundreds of large earthworms crushed under speeding vehicles during the monsoon. It is shocking to see freshwater tortoises being sold in village markets. These unfortunate creatures end up as ‘Xacuti’ in some homes. It is sad to hear gunshots wounding fruit bats (pakhe). Every beat of Goa’s ghumat echoes the death throes of monitor lizards. Every local dish of sharks like ‘mori ambot tikh’ reminds one of the ban imposed on their catching. But our fish markets are full of banned elasmobranches fish.
People love to talk about elephants, tigers, panthers, turtles and frogs - animals which have global support. But there are hundreds of other species which also need our attention. The present knowledge of faunal diversity of Goa is based on surveys conducted by the Zoological survey of India (ZSI). They identified 1326 species of 17 groups. Among these birds dominate with 458 species.
Goa could be called a paradise of birds because 37 per cent of country’s bird diversity is found here. In our small university campus spread over less than two sq. kms area, Prof Shanbhag and his students have catalogued 110 species of birds or 25 per cent of state avian diversity.
Whereas 456 species of reptiles are found in the whole country - Goa scores well with 100 species. The most advanced group of animals - mammals is well presented here with 83 species (21 per cent) out of the total 390 for the whole country.
Mammals of Goa also comprise six marine species - Indopacific Humpback dolphin, common dolphin, spinner dolphin, back finless porpoise, fin whale and dugong. There are reports of killing of dolphins. Dugongs were sighted at Chapora and Anjuna some time back. These are extremely shy and rare marine mammals. There are many reports of whale carcasses washed ashore in coastal Goa. But the forest department doesn’t monitor such events and report these to IUCN or whale and dolphin conservation society.
The other 77 mammal species are listed here. Shrews (chichundri) are represented by Madras tree shrew, common house shrew, Savi’s pigmy shrew. Bats are very important in seed dispersal and pollination. These flying mammals have the gift of echolocation. We need a better knowledge of bats and the viruses which they carry in Goa. I would not advise anyone to consume fruits damaged or punctured by bats because there is a chance of viral transmission of diseases. Some of these viruses are fatal to humans.
The bats of Goa include 26 species - Indian fulvus fruit bat, Indian flying fox, short-nosed fruit bat, lesser Dog-faced fruit bat, Pouch-bearing tomb bat, Long winged tomb bat, Black bearded tomb bat, Theobald’s tomb bat, lesser false vampire bat, Greater false vampire bat, Blyth’s Horse-shoe bat, Rufous Horse shoe bat, fulvus leaf nosed bat, Kelaart’s leaf-nosed bat, Schneider’s leaf-nosed bat, painted bat, Tickell’s bat, Horsfields’ bat, Kellart’s Pipistrelle, Indian Pipistrelle (three subspecies), Asiatic greater yellow house bat, Asiatic lesser yellow house bat, Long-winged bat or Schreibers’ bat and Egyptian Free tailed bat.
The tiny and cute pipistrelle bats routinely visit the corridors of my faculty building during the monsoon. At night sightings of Indian flying foxes is common. They just love to hang on our fruit trees. When I used to keep ripe fruits as baits on my roof they used to descend and smartly pick them. I suspect that a colony of these giant bats may be present on ‘Bat Island’ in the Marmagoa bay.
The primates have a smaller population in Goa - slender loris (vanmanus), Bonnet Macaque (makod/khete) and Hanuman Langur (vandor) - just three out of 25 primate species in the country. There is just a single species of pangolin-Indian pangolin.
The canine family is represented by Indian jackal, Indian wild dog (dhole/kolsun) and Bengal fox. Among these we need to pay special attention to the small surviving population of highly social Indian wild dog found in the Western Ghats.
A single species of sloth bear is what is left of the ursidae family.
The smooth –coated Indian otter (ud) is a wonderful and rare species of Goa. Other wonderful and cute species include - small Indian civet, Palm civet or Toddy cat (catandor), Indian gray Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Striped Hyena, Jungle cat, Leopard Cat, Rusty spotted cat, Leopard/panther, striped tiger, Indian elephant, Indian wild boar, Indian mouse deer, Indian spotted deer or chital, Sambar, Barking deer, Gaur, chosuinga or four Horned antelope.
Squirrels are well represented. The Bondla sanctuary is the best place to watch the Indian Giant Squirrel and common giant flying squirrel. There are two species of Indian giant squirrel. Other local species include three striped jungle squirrel and the Indian five striped northern palm squirrel. The latter is very common in Goa and abounds in our gardens.
Why should Goa host so many species of rats? The family of wild rats and mice, muridae family is represented by Indian Gerbil or Antelope Rat, Long tailed tree mouse, Metad rat, House rat or Roof rat, white bellied rat, Norvey rat, Indian bush rat, common house mouse, little Indian field mouse, lesser bandicoot rat and Large bandicoot rat (three subspecies). The Indian crested porcupine can be seen at the Bondla zoo.
The Indian black napped hare (soso) has been hunted down in Goa for centuries. Occasionally it is spotted after the first monsoon rains in grasslands. During my childhood, attempts to domesticate this species rescued from hunters had failed as our space was not sufficient for this mini kangaroo like creature. It used to jump so high that each leap used to take our breath away.
How much we know and care for the habitat of these 83 mammal species? The wildlife census of the forest department lists only a few species. They don’t care about the other life forms. What about the species outside the forest areas? The peculiar call of the Indian jackal is missed in the villages of Goa. Farmers now hate the monkeys destroying their plantation crops. The nocturnal and shy toddy cat now finds it difficult to hide itself, feed and reproduce as constructions have come up close to coconut plantations.

(To be concluded)

Konkans day of Apocalypse [science fiction short]

[Translated by the author, Dr. Nandakumar Kamat, from the Marathi original
Konkanpralaya?, first published on 30 May 2004 in the Daily Gomantak,
Panjim, Goa, Sunday supplement 'Shabdasohala']

Initially the seismologists thought that the epicenter of that earthquake could be the area around the Koyna dam. But considering the experience of Latur, they began immediate and detail investigation. On Richter scale
the tremors measured only six and the quake had lasted hardly for twenty seconds. Tremors of lesser intensity were still getting recorded. Napoleon Lobo and Janardan Sawant had gone for a fishing trip in the Bay of Marmagoa. Near Sunchi reef they had spotted an unusual piece of rock projecting from the surface from the surrounding water. Perhaps a new island might be emerging -- they thought. Four houses on the slopes of Altinho, Panjim had collapsed. This mishap had caused panic among the Panjimites. Landslides close to many roads in Goa had caused motor vehicle accidents. Residents of Salvador da Mundo, Betul, Balli, Poladpur, Harnem, Mangaon, Kudal, Konkan and Goa were stunned to find their regular
village wells unexpectedly overflowing. They couldn't explain the
phenomenon. The Galjibaga coastline had been hit by unprecedented dance of
turbulent sea. Most of the beach was eroded. Giant waves had also eroded
the Anjuna coastline. Advocate Gomes had a palatial bungalow on the banks
of Mandovi estuary at Ribandar. He noticed that the walls were slowly
sinking. People had thronged to Surla village on Goa?s border with
Karnataka to witness the newly formed hot water spring. It strongly
smelled of sulphur. A few geologists had also rushed there. But the smart
local people had not permitted them to carry out any research. The Deccan
trap found on the north east of Goa had been formed 65 million years ago.
The western ghats known as Sahyadris were born 45 million years ago, but
the geologists were convinced that this orogenic process had halted or
slowed down. The west coast fault located in the Arabian sea runs parallel
to the coastline of Goa and Konkan. The rivers in Goa show a zig zag
course on account of ancient tectonic activities. There was an atmosphere
of gloom in the Indian geophysical institute. The seismographs were
clearly indicating the possibility of a major earthquake. Commands had
been issued to measure the declination or the microscopic movement of the
Konkan coastline using laser altimetry. The famous seismologist Dr. Harsh
Gupta had issued a warning to remain vigilant for 24 hours. It was June,
2007. The monsoon had begun on time. The Konkan belt was having a party.
It was bumper crop of Alphonso mangoes. The Ratnagiri-Kolhapur railway
link had become operational. Work on the new multilane west coast highway
had finally begun. New technology had reduced landslides on the Konkan
railway route. But on June 14 th, the Padi tunnel in Canacona developed a
huge linear fissure. Mud and water began leaking through it endangering
railway travel. The fissure looked like a clean knife cut. On war
footing the repair works were in full swing. So far all these events
scattered in space and time were not co-related and none had suspected
any link to the anticipated earthquake. After anchoring his trawler to the
Vasco fishing jetty, Napoleon Lobo spoke to Janardhan Sawant- ? the sea
appears mischievous. I can see a strange colour in the water. It it as if
something is churning at the bottom the sea.? Accepting Lobo?s
observations, Janardhan Sawant remarked-? I remember the strange rock
which we had encountered. What do you think about it?. Don?t you think
that it came out of the sea like a whale jaw?.? Lobo noticed the overcast
southwestern horizon. A huge bank of oddly shaped clouds was forming. ?I
fear that a storm or may be a cyclone is coming this way?. Sawant did not
agree with him. He said-? Napolean, if that was the case then they would
have furled a red signal flag at the jetty much in advance. Where is the
flag??
While they were speaking, the bottoms of the Indian ocean were in turmoil.
A process which was thought to have slowed down million of years ago, had
become active again. A chain of dormant volcano was close to the Reunion
islands. These were ovens of the earth, now almost extinguished by time.
But Earth is a peculiar, unpredictable planet. Although detail maps of the
ocean floors were available, there was insufficient information from ocean
core drilling project. In absence of any reliable global data about the
composition of the ocean floor sub-surface, the scientist believed that,
it could be considered stable.
17 June 2007. The government wheels started moving.
Precautionary orders were issued in anticipation of the
earthquake. Panjim saw a huge rally which educated the citizens
on disaster preparedness. Margao, Marmagoa, Ponda, Usgao,
Karapur, Kalapur, Gimonem, Amonem -- the meetings at all these
places warned the people about the impending earthquake. But
nobody knew the magnitude of the coming disaster or its? timing
or what was expected of them to deal with such a situation. The
television channels were constantly churning features, which
made contradictory claims and created confusion. Some said that
a mega earthquake was going to hit the west coast. Some others
claimed that a supercyclone was brewing somewhere.
21 June 2007. Kolaba, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore and Panjim observatories
recorded tremors of six magnitude. The seismologists were more or less
successful now to identify the unstable region. The trouble spot was
towards the north of Reunion islands. Suddenly that region had become
seismically reactivated. Immediately messages flew. Supercomputers began
crunching numbers and data. Probability maps were ready based on models of
the sinking of the ocean floor and its? impact on the land. The Laccadives
island groups faced the biggest threat followed by the islands of
Seychelles and Reunion. Then was the turn of India?s west coast.
23 June 2007. The President of India issued a declaration proclaiming
civil emergency on the west coast from Vapi to Mangalore. ?Don?t panic?
the appeals told the citizens. Tourists in Goa had retreated. All new
bookings had been cancelled. Goa was under the cloud of invisible anxiety
and tension. Fear of the unknown was in the air.
24 June 2007. The Chief minister Mr. Mansamrat presided over an all party
meeting at Miramar. Politicians otherwise at loggerheads with each other
found themselves brought together by the approaching calamity. They
resolved to face the disaster unitedly.
25 June 2007. A new volcano exploded in the southern Indian ocean near
Reunion and began belching fire and molten lava. There were mild tremors.
But the new Volcano literally shook the global community. When the first
images from the submersible were telecast-people could assess the
seriousness of the event. There was danger ahead.
Napoleon Lobo spoke to Janardhan Sawant: 'My god..I don?t think that the
signs are good for Goa. We need a change Jana... The rain has not yet
picked its rhythm -- so why not go for picnic?.? Janardhan responded
enthusiastically. His friend stayed at Paroda. The Paroda hillock was very
close to his house. ?Lobo, listen.. I would show you the famous
Chandranath hill. You can really enjoy Goa from its? beautiful summit.?.
Lobo had heard about this place but never had any opportunity to visit it.
After they arranged for the safety of their trawlers, Lobo and Sawant
drove towards Paroda.
Morning of 26 th June. There was a light drizzle. Slowly it became a
torrent. Then it started raining cats and dogs. People began running for
shelter everywhere as the rain picked up momentum. Panjim recorded 12
inches rainfall within four hours. At three PM the Observatory issued a
special weather bulletin. It said that very heavy rainfall was possible in
Konkan and Goa for the next 48 hours causing flooding of low lying areas
and flash floods. On their way to Paroda, Lobo and Sawant had no idea of
this bulletin. They reached Paroda. They purchased food at Quepem. Then
they located the house of Janardhan?s friend. They couldn?t find him
there. He had already gone to watch the rain from Paroda hill. So, the duo
decided to visit the Paroda hill. They drove as sheets of rain beat on
their windshield. The rain had erected a thick curtain around the hill.
But Lobo and Sawant?s Toyota jeep was strong enough to take them to the
summit. They reached near the Chandranath temple as the faint Sun began
sinking on the western horizon. Lobo first noticed the fierce waters of
the Arabian sea. It was something different and unfamiliar to him. He
could not help it and said? ?Janardhan, I doubt if this rain would ever
take rest now..?.
Almost at the same time, there was a flood like situation near Panjim?s
Mandovi hotel. People were forced to enter the Hotel. They were treated to
complimentary cakes and biscuits. Nobody noticed the Sunset. The night was
approaching. Suddenly the power went off. It was beginning of a
nightmarish night. The Navy helicopters were flying sorties in the
darkness of the night. The wireless center was deluged by appeals for help
from flooded areas. Vasishthi, Savitri, Kundalika, Gangavali,Kali, Mandovi
all major western flowing rivers were in spate. The water had broken all
the barriers and bundhs. Sal river had flooded Salcete. From Margao to
Assolna the valley was completely flooded. People from Majorda and
Cansaulim climbed the Remedios hill, but they had a mass panic attack after
they looked down towards the Salcete plains. Upto Cavelloshim-Betul, there
was water, water everywhere.
26 June 2007. Several small volcanoes erupted to form a chain in the
Indian ocean. The surface temperature was now rising. The winds started
blowing. It was past 6 PM. One of the newly formed volcanoes exploded with
massive force. All the seismographs in the world recorded the tremors.
Relatively the magnitude was small. But it had catastrophic power. The
real danger was from the giant Tsunami waves created by the volcanic
eruption. With every explosion, a new Tsunami wave front, ending to reach
a crest of 100 metres was forming and then these raced towards the
coastline. These waves had immense destructive power.
Afternoon, June 27 th. Paroda. Sawant exclaimed: ?Lobo, look there!?. Both
of them turned to watch the coastline of Goa with horror. From the
southwest, they saw giant waves towering to a height equalling more than
the combined length of ten coconut trees collapsing on Goa?s coast and
fully eroding it. The Tsunamis did not spare the rest of the Konkan and
the west coast. The ocean had ultimately snatched back the land which was
once called-?Parashuramkshetra?, 'Gomantak? and 'Shurparaka? . It was
Konkan?s day of apocalypse!

four out of seven "natural wonders" of Goa fall in or around the Canacona-Quepem area.

around palolem

Dr. Nandkumar Kamat says four out of seven "natural wonders" of Goa fall in or around the Canacona-Quepem area.

Morpila Sacred Grove.

Ancient, sheltered forests are plentiful in interior Goa. Kamat feels the one at Morpila in Canacona's neighboring Quepem Taluka as the "most interesting of all". It protects the starting place of a mountain stream.

Chandranath Hill

Chandranath hill is another topographically-interesting feature. It comprises two hillocks of near-uniform contour height. One hillock is 300m and the other is 350m high. Scientists suggest a meteorite fell on Chandranath Mountain during the pre-historic period.

Chandranath Temple

Shree Chandranath temple is located on the summit of the 350 meters high hill of Chandranath, at Paroda, Quepem. Chandreshwar was the deity of Bhoja kings who ruled South Goa before the Portuguese till the middle of the 8th century. They had furthermore named their capital Chandrapur after the deity. A rock is there within the temple precinct which exudes artistic splendor whenever rays of full moon fall on it. Some claim that milk oozes from the Shiva Linga at this special celestial event. A shivalinga is also carved out from this rock. The temple is so designed that Linga receives moonlight on every full moon. The temple commands panoramic view and also its surroundings are very charming. The temple’s ancient chariot is well known for its woodcarvings that are visited by lot of people. 'Chandrashila', the iron-meteorite worshipped in the temple, further adds to the mystery of this place. (View more Photos)

South Goa's straight coastline.

The coastline of South Goa according to Dr. Nandkumar Kamat is of a peculiar linear shape which stretches from Majorda to Betul, just north of the Canacona-Quepem coast. This could be a much "younger" coast (around 6,000-15,000 years young) compared to the rest of the Goan coast, and is a "trekker's dream-stretch".

Partagal Mutt Temple

This Mutt headquarters earlier existed at Bhatkal in 1476 AD. Later (after the Samadhi of Swami Shrikanta Tirtha) shifted to Partagali village on the banks of the sacred river Kushavati in Goa known as  Gokarn-Partagali Mutt. This place is popularly known as Bramhasthan. After Swami Jeevothan Tirtha the Mutt is also called Jeevothan Mutt.  Present pontiff Vidhyadhiraj Tirtha succeeded to the Peetha in 1973. The Mutt has its headquarters at Partagali, Poinguinim, and Canacona in Goa. Close by is the banks of the Talpona river. (View more Photos)

Largest Banyan Tree in Goa

There is a giant Vatavriksha (Banyan tree) about 200 meters to the north of the Partagal Jeevothan Mutt with 220 aerial roots and total area admeasuring 235 feet x 225 feet and is believed to be 2000 years old. It can accommodate about 1000 people in its shade. (View more Photos)

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary

Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Canacona Taluka of South Goa. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to December. The sanctuary is open from 0700 till 1730 for visitors. The sanctuary has eight well laid out nature trails traversing it. There are six watchtowers in the sanctuary. Also there is one 'tree top', it is situated about 20 meters high on a tree overlooking a waterhole. Both the Gal and Talpona rivers of Canacona Taluka originate from the sanctuary.

At the entrance to the sanctuary there is an ecotourism complex which houses the nature interpretation centre, cottages, toilets, library, reception area, rescue centre, canteen and Range Forest Office.  The lesser-known animals in the sanctuary include the Flying Squirrel, Slender Loris, Indian Pangolin, Mouse Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Malabar Pit Viper, Hump-Nosed Pit Viper, White-bellied Woodpecker, Malabar Trogon, Velvet-fronted Nuthatch, Heart-spotted Woodpecker, Speckled Piculet, Malayan Bittern, Draco or Flying Lizard, Golden-back Gliding Snake and Malabar Tree Toad.

Cabo De Rama Fort

Long land that juts into the sea, takes its name from the hero Ram of the Hindu epic, "The Ramayana", hence the name Cabo De Rama. Not far from Agonda beach is Cabo de Rama, untouched by most of the visitors in this region.

The atmosphere of the fort creates a sense of history and drama that very few would fail to appreciate. According to the local legends, Rama stayed here with his wife Sita during the period of 12-year exile. This place has a very short coastline bordered by the remains of the fort and hence very rocky and not suitable for swimming. (View more Photos)

http://www.hiliasretreatgoa.com/AroundPalolem2.htm

The vanishing wildflowers

Wild Flowers

The vanishing wildflowers

-  by Nandkumar Kamat

As you drive in Goa's countryside (and actually anywhere in the Western Ghats, along NH-17A and NH-4A) you would not fail to notice the plateaus, the hill slopes, the valleys covered by wildflowers. To the serious students of natural history and amateur wildflower watchers - Issac Kihimkars, “Common wild flowers” (2000) and Shrikant Ingalhallikar's,” Flowers of Sahyadri” (2001) are indispensable field guides.

Why should we be interested in wildflowers? Firstly, these species represent an important wild genetic resource-priceless biological wealth. Secondly, many of these are medicinal and only a few are cultivated. Thirdly, there is a serious and still ill understood ecological and biological dimension-the wildflowers support the food web. The insect and bird pollinators depend on certain species of wildflowers. Fourthly, there is an economic and biotechnological dimension - wildflowers could be a rich bank of biopharmaceuticals and pigments. Fifthly, there is cultural and ecotourism dimension - the wildflowers generate curiosity, awe, wonder and inspire creativity.
What daffodils were to the British poet Wordsworth, the wildflowers of Goa were to the first modern Goan Konkani poet - Bayabhav. His poetry collection was titled-Sadyavelim fulam, (wildflowers on a plateau).
Goan painters and artists appreciate Vincent van Gaugh and Paul Gaugin-but seem to have generally neglected the beauty of wildflowers in their own neighbourhood. Wildflowers of Goa, about 100 species have not yet entered into any serious environmental discourse. Their natural wild habitats have been taken over by settlements and industries.

How old are Goa's wildflowers? The flowering plants are 135 million years old. They flourished 70 million years ago. The Western Ghats are 45 million years old. The plateaus of Goa may be much more ancient. So, the endemic wildflowers are at least 70 million years old. Do you know what this means? When a fertile wildflower habitat in your neighbourhood is destroyed the gene pool with its evolutionary history of 70 million years also vanishes. Of course, there is a school of thought which feels that it is not necessary to conserve the wildflower habitats in small patches anywhere. These people believe that if a good patch of wildflowers in the Western Ghats (Kas plateau near Satara) is conserved then we need not worry about other local habitats. Unfortunately this is not the policy in USA and the European Union countries which respect their wildlife flora in all the regions and states. In India only the valley of flowers has been accorded the conservation status.

But, what about Goa's plateaus and valleys of wildflowers? Would anyone care for these habitats? One of the well known wildflower habitat is the Bambolim-Taleigao-Dona-Paula plateau. The best season to observe and photograph the succession of wildflowers is between July to September. What you find on this plateau? Here is a list for your reference. Many of these species are common on other plateaus of Goa as well. There are species of Cleomaceae-the spiderflowers-Whiskered spider flower-Cleome gynandra, Common spider flower-cleome rutidosperma, and Yellow spider flower- Cleome viscose.

I always wonder about the history of domestication of the common ladies finger and why farmers who used to cultivate it on this plateau reported bumper crops? The reason is that the plateau has a gene pool of wild ladies finger well adapted to the soil and climate. The members of Malvaceae are well represented -- we have wild ladies finger-jungli bhendi and ran bhendi, or Abelmoschus manihot ssp Tetraphyllus, we also see Country mallow-abutilon indicum, locally known as petari- the buttons of this flower are dipped in colour to make designs. Other wildflower species include the - Common mallow or Azanza lampas, grape leaved mallow or Kosteletzksya vitifolia (van kapus), Brazul jute or Malachra capitata, angled sida-or Sida rhombifolia, common burbush-Triumfetta rhomboidea, Mysore linseed-Tribulus terrestris, Little tree plant-Biophytum sensitivum, Common balsam-Impatiens balsamia, Rosemarine hill balsam-Impatiens rosmarinifolia, crab eyed creeper-Abrus precatorius- or Gunj, common swordbean- Canavalia gladiata, Bombay bean-Clitoria annua, Butterfly bean-Clitoria ternatea, creeping hemp-Crotalaria filipes, greater rattle rod- Crotalaria leschenaultii, common rattle rod-Crotalaria retusa, common psoralea- Callen corylifolia, Indian sweet pea-Vigna vexillata, Candle cassia-Cassia alata, pot cassia-Cassi torra-( Taklo-used as vegetable at tender stage), Flaming spike climber-Moullava spicata-or Wagatea spicata-(waghati-very good for making dry flowers), touch me not-Mimosa pudica, wild musk melon-Curcumis melo, Spiny melon-Curcumis prophetarum-(without which Dipavali cannot be celebrated), Bristle gourd-Momordica dioica, Madras pea pumpkin-Mukia maderaspatana, Common frineged flower vine Trichosanthes curcumerina, Great fringed flower vine-Trichosanthes tricuspidata, beautiful Mexican foss flower Ageratum houstonianum-( native of Peru and Mexico), purple heads-Phyllocephalum scabridum(excellent species for domestication), Graham's
groundsel-Selecio grahami (you can see vast carpets of these on hill slopes-Tivim, Sirsaim ,and on Assagao-Siolim plateau), blue dawn glory-Ipomea nil, Tiger s paw glory-Ipomoea pes-tigridis, little gooseberry-Physalis minima, oriental sesame-Sesamum orientale, Hairy creat Indonesiella echioides, Common small justicia-Justicia procumbens-July, Blue fountain bush-Clerodendrum serratum-( the flowers mimic the butterfly), Hill clerodendrum-Clerodendrum viscosum, Silver spiked cockscomb -Celosia argentea ( nice for flower arrangements), hill turmeric-Curcuma pseudomontana- (blooms only in June, medicinal), Glory lily-Gloriosa superba- ( a beautiful colourful flower with good shelf life, known as agnishikha, Vaghache chopke, kalalavi, the tubers have an anti-cancer drug-Colchicin).

There are plentiful of flowering tubers like the Dragon stalk yalm-Amorphophyllus commutatus, taro-Colocasia esculenta. The wildflower species include the relatives of domesticated cucurbits-and these may harbour interesting antiviral, fire and drought resistant genes.
There are other interesting species which come up in wet places-near seasonal ponds. These include the bead grass-Ericaulon sedwickii and the insect trapping Utricularia reticulata. A mosaic of white and purple colours would be found these days on Donapaula plateau. This is an association of Ericaulon and Utricularia.

Very little is known about such wildflower associations. It is an ecological mystery of nature which may never be elucidated in Goa because at least near the urban and industrial centers the future of the remaining natural habitats of wildflowers is uncertain. Within next few years one would have to travel deeper into the countryside to experience the beauty of the wildflowers.

I have found it difficult to convince the Goa University authorities about the long term genetic, ecological and biological importance of preserving, protecting and in-situ conserving the wildflower biodiversity of our campus. Practically this means, creating mini-wildflower reserves-small patches all over the campus and maintain them in pristine conditions. But these species have few friends and are condemned to vanish in a few years.

 

http://www.saiflowersgoa.com/wild-flowers.html