The forest cover of Goa is about 1424 sqkms. Part of one of the biodiversity hotspots of the world namely the Western Ghats lies in Goa. Goa’s main horticulture produce includes coconut, cashew, mango, jackfruit and pineapples. Rice is the main crop of Goa. Along with rice, ragi and pulses are also grown in Goa. Goa’s state animal is the Gaur (Indian bison) and state bird is the Ruby Throated Yellow Bulbul (aka Black Crested Bulbul). The state tree of Goa is the Matti (Terminalia eliptica). The state of Goa has one National Park namely Mollem National Park and six wildlife sanctuaries which include Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, one bird sanctuary namely the Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on the island of Chorao.
Every year, World Nature Conservation Day is celebrated on July 28. On this day, people raise awareness about the importance of nature conservation. With small contributions every day from everyone, we can save the planet and regain the nature that we have been bestowed with. Picture Post Cards have been released by the Department of Posts, Goa Postal Division on Wildlife Biodiversity in Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary and Endemic Birds of Goa.
Bondla Wildlife Diversity:
Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary is located in north-eastern Goa in Ponda taluka. A wide variety of animal life can be encountered, including: Sambar Deer, Indian Bison, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Indian Peafowl and many species of snakes. Bondla Zoo is known for its successful breeding of Gaur. As it is the only zoo in Goa, many visit the zoo. A set of several Picture Post cards were released on the Wildlife diversity of the Bondla Sanctuary by the Department of Posts, Goa Postal Division. The photographs were clicked by Prasanna Parab and Gajanan Shetye.
Moths and Butterflies
Several Picture Postcards on the Moths and Butterflies of Goa have been released including the state butterfly, Malabar Tree Nymph. This has special Augmented Reality cancelation, which was released for the first time.
Birds of Goa
A series Picture Post Cards on the Birds of Goa were released by the Department of Posts, Goa Postal Division on the Avian Diversity of Goa, Endemic Birds of Goa. One of the specialities of these Picture Postcards are they are with QR Scan code, which will give more details of the individual birds. The photographs were clicked by Prasanna Parab and Omkar Dharwadkar. These include Crimson backed Sunbird, Flame Throated Bulbul, Grey fronted Green Pigeon, Grey Headed Bulbul, Malabar Barbet and Malabar Grey Hornbill.
(The writer is a Chief Scientist (Retd) National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, and a renowned philatelist)