Study finds Goa’s coastal plateau ecosystems thriving with biodiversity

Panaji: This year’s World Environment Day theme for June 5 emphasises on conservation of natural habitats to combat climate change. In Goa, plateau formations have been experiencing the most drastic change, once considered barren lands and thrown open for developmental activities. But a new extensive study of a single plateau in Goa has shed light on the thriving biodiversity housed in these lateritic formations, especially when the uplands are located closer to the coast as in the state.

A study carried out by the Goa State Biodiversity Board (GSBB) of Betul plateau has found it to be home to 228 plants, with several falling under the IUCN list vulnerable and endangered categories.

Ninety-one birds, eight mammals, nine reptiles and eight amphibians were recorded to be calling the plateau their home. Another 163 distinct species of macrofungi were recorded on the plateau.

The vegetation on these plateaus were also found to be serving significant ecological services like “microclimatic buffering, and carbon assimilation, while sustaining pollinator and decomposer networks”.

The plateau was found to be an important carbon sink.

“Quantitative estimation of biomass and carbon sequestration potential underscores the campus’s vital role as a carbon sink,” states the study.

The significance of plateaus was once lost on those planning development on the formations. This GSBB study was commissioned by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), which has established its Advanced Training Institute (ONGC-ATI) on the Betul plateau, and the study will serve as the basis of a conservation plan for the plateau.

The team carrying out the study, led by experts like senior biologist Manoj Borkar, found Betul plateau thriving in invertebrate diversity as well with the presence of over 50 species, including 33 species of butterflies, seven species each of wasps, odonates, and bees, and two species of ants.

“Hydrologically, the area forms part of the Zuari estuarine drainage system, with ephemeral pools, runoff channels, and seasonal wetlands developing during the monsoon, just as other plateaus. These aquatic microhabitats act as breeding and feeding grounds for amphibians, odonates, and aquatic macroinvertebrates, contributing significantly to local trophic dynamics,” said GSBB member secretary Pradip Sarmokadam.

Indian palm squirrel, Hanuman langur, Indian leopard, brown palm civet, Indian black naped hare, Indian flying fox, grey mongoose were some of the animal species found on the Betul plateau.

The study states that recent ecological studies have found Goa to be a critical refuge for pollinator species and endemic flora, particularly those adapted to lateritic and coastal ecosystems such as the plateaus located close to the coast as in the state.

Five biodiversity monitoring plots have been officially assigned by ONGC–ATI now for the purpose of green restoration and biodiversity enhancement within the campus. The plots have been earmarked for conservation with a critical management guideline that no construction, infrastructure expansion, or civil modification shall be permitted within or adjacent to these five monitoring plots.

The entire area is to be maintained as a dedicated green zone, serving as a long-term ecological observatory and reference site for biodiversity and carbon dynamics.

During Phase II, a scientifically guided invasive removal and native species enrichment plan will be implemented. Subsequent replanting will prioritize ecologically analogous native taxa.