Goa’s amphibious namesake confirms Mahadayi’s bio-hotspot status

* New species of Caecilians found in Keri

In a discovery bearing further testimony to the status of the western ghats of India as a hotbed of bio diversity, a team of researchers recently dug up a new species of legless amphibian in the village of Keri in the Sattari Taluka of North Goa.

Resembling an earthworm, the species, previously unknown to science, belongs to the class of caecilians and was named Gegeneophis goaensis, the first species to be named after the state of Goa. Being a brand new species, it is yet to have a common name. “We decided to name the species after the state where we found it,” says Nirmal Kulkarni.

The research team was led by Dr. Gopalakrishna Bhat, professor of zoology, M.G.M.College, Udupi, Karnataka. Dinesh K.P. from the Zoological Survey of India, Cochin, Nirmal Kulkarni, a Goan researcher working in the Mahadayi region and Prashanth P. of the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, Karnataka form the other two members of the four-member team.

The team had first encountered two specimens in 2004. Since then they have been on the lookout for further sightings to confirm their findings. Their persistent efforts finally paid off with the latest discoveries under rotting vegetation during the monsoons in 2006.

Molecular studies confirmed that this is a new species, adding to the existing seven species of the genus of Gegeneophis which is an endemic genus to the Western Ghats of India. The international journal Zootaxa has accepted the research paper submitted by the team for publication.

So how big a discovery is this? “Discovery of a new species of tiger would make headlines. This is an equivalent finding,” says Nirmal Kulkarni, with a smile then adds, “Caecilians are legless, burrowing and nocturnal. All of these factors make it the least known and studied amphibians in the world. To a layperson they would appear just like an earthworm or a snake. While they may look ordinary, they are important indicators of the health of an eco system.”

The team plans to conduct further studies in the same area at different altitudes and thereafter look for the species in other parts of Goa. “This would enable us to have an understanding of the habitat of the species,” says Nirmal.

The Mahadei river basin in Goa, where the discovery was made, is acknowledged for its wide range of flora and fauna, most of which is yet to be documented. It is also in focus in recent times because of the proposed dam project by the Karnataka government. The dam site is barely 20 kms from the site of the discovery.

“This discovery further proves the need for extreme caution in dealing with the region. Any reckless acts on the part of humans that would result in habitat change could endanger these species. They would be forever lost to science and mankind,” says Nirmal. The species was not found in areas where pesticides are used on banana plantations. “If such minor issues can have such a large effect, other major developmental projects could potentially destroy the bio diversity of the region,” adds Nirmal.

The latest discovery once more confirms the longstanding demand of environmentalists for exercising caution in developmental efforts and habitat changes.

Copyright 2007 S Gasper D'Souza. To publish this article on the web or print please email gasperd@gmail.com

Could greed seal future of Goa's tourism?

Present greed could be killing the goose that lays the golden egg in Goa's tourism.

In an effort to rake in the big bucks during the peak tourist season, shack owners may in fact be sealing their own fate and that of beach tourism in the near future in the former Portuguese enclave of Goa in India. A walk on the Calangute-Baga stretch in North Goa reveals a sea as far as eye can see. And no, it is not the Arabian Sea we are talking about, but a sea of beach beds and deck chairs put up by shack owners all along the coast line.

According to the tourism department, a maximum of 5 pairs of beach beds per shack are permissible. However, a random count on the Calangute beach gave an average of a staggering 25 pairs of beds per shack. These beds are laid out right up to the tide line seriously inconveniencing tourists wishing to stroll along the shore line.

On questioning, one shack owner got very aggressive stating that fees were paid giving them the right to put out beach beds. On explaining that the fee is basically for the shack and a set of 5 pairs of beds, she openly claimed that some prominent politicians have been "satisfied".

The Smiths, a couple from Europe, were quite clear about their experience in Calangute. "The beach here is way too crowded, not what we expected." they explained, adding, "We are constantly approached by various persons to occupy beach beds and patronize shacks. After a point all that hassling gets a bit too much. Quite frankly, if we want a drink we know enough to stop by a shack without being invited to do so."

Many tourists like the Smiths sometimes simply want to stroll along the beaches, soaking in the sun, sands and surf. What they do not want or need is the inconvenience of having to negotiate through a maze of beach beds.

Moreover, not all visitors to the beach are tourists. Locals too frequent the beach to unwind, especially on the weekends. They are least interested in the beach beds, paying between Rs 50 - 200 (approx 1 - 4 USD). However, with the beds lined right up to the tide line, they are left with simply no options.

Shack owners blame the illegalities on the "huge" license fee of Rs 30,000/- (approx 650 USD) to put up a shack during the tourist season. "This is our livelihood. We have to make our money," pleaded one shack owner who had beds stretching all the way to the water. Others were aware of the problem and admitted that it may affect the future business. However, many were more concerned about the present. "Who knows if we will be alive five years hence," was one Candolim shack owner's reply.

Can all of this be good for Goa's tourism industry? The CEO of Alfran Group of Hotels and former president of the Travel and Tourism Association of Goa, Mr Charles Bonifacio was categorical in his criticism of shack owners. "They (shack owners) are completely oblivious to the actual needs of tourists, going about doing as they please. As a result, the beaches are becoming a sore eye." He expressed his concern that this rampant greed on the part of shack owners will affect the long-term health of tourism in the state. "A joint effort on the part of the government, hoteliers and shack owners is what is needed to maintain Goa's beaches" he adds.

But although the tourism department is well aware of the illegalities going on along the coastline it seems helpless. Ms Pamela Mascarenhas, deputy director of tourism said, "We tried to clear the illegal beds but were faced with a large mob that threatened our demolition squad, in spite of the presence of police." The department is waiting for further instructions from the court. Ms Mascarenhas came out strongly against the local shack owners saying it is they who should realize the folly of flooding the beaches with beds and deck chairs. "Tourists are fed up with the situation on the beach in Calangute-Baga. The presence of demolition squads and police will only add to the negative image. Shack owners try to make a fast buck, putting up illegal shacks and beach beds. But in the long run it is they themselves who will suffer once tourists decide to stay away.

Goa's reputation as a tourist destination is largely word of mouth with repeat clients constituting a majority of tourists each year. For tourism to grow and flourish in the state it is important for those in the industry to stop looking at quick returns with practices that are detrimental to its future in Goa. Continuation of current unscrupulous practices could sound the death knell of quality tourism in Goa.

Copyright 2007 S Gasper D'Souza. To publish this article on the web or print please email gasperd@gmail.com

Some Soul Searching

Today's mainstream media constantly bombards us with data. But with commercialism and advertising revenues to take care of, the news hole is becoming smaller while the ad space is ever increasing. This is simply a matter of survival. But unfortunately, real issues concerning society are sidelined and the true journalistic ideal of truth above all else is first casualty in this tussle.

As a result of this, we increasingly find newspapers refusing to take a stand on important issues or doing so very reluctantly and with trepidation fearing a backlash from advertisers and or government. On the other side of the spectrum we see newspapers that exist for sensationalising issues. These newspapers and their journalists survive on this method. And across this spectrum are those who do not think twice to publish where the money exists. As a result it is easy today to buy news space in many mainstream newspapers.

Renowned Indian photojournalist and Magnum member, Raghu Rai is said to have stated that photojournalism in India is dead. Where does this leave true journalism? Hardcore journalists are increasingly frustrated by the state of affairs in the mainstream media.

It is simply not true what media barons and baronesses try to tell us, that readers want a quick, light read. That we need to fill papers with the escapades of Page 3 celebrities because that’s what readers want. That today’s youth, brought up on a staple diet of MTV videos do not care to read serious stuff.

Atma Deep seeks to break from the shackles of commercialism binding mainstream media. Atma (soul) and Deep (lamp) is dedicated to shedding light on the soul of issues that matter. The guiding principle is to go beyond the news, digging below the superficial crust, into the soul of the issue.

Atma Deep is not interested in reporting news. There are many news papers and magazines already doing a good job at that. In stead, using strong visuals with insightful text, Atma Deep will try to get to the soul – the ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘what next’ of an event or issue.

Atma Deep is more that a magazine. It is a movement towards social justice and equality in our world today. If you believe in this mission, we invite you to join us.

If you wish to join in this mission or fund this endeavour, please contact Gasper D'Souza at gasperd@gmail.com Together, we can burn the lamp to bring light to the soul of society.