goanow

  Index

  Edwords

  Greetings

  Campus

  Cover Story

  Reflections

  Musings

  Feasts

  Environment

  Personality

  People

  ArtNOW

  Autos

  Goa Books

  Entertainment

  Kitchendom

  Obituaries

  Overseas

  Last Month

  Urba (Konknni)

  Archive


ENVIRONMENT


SAVIOURS OF THE WILDS

With a little bit of initiative people can make life pretty exciting and in the bargain help make this world a better place to live in...for beings rational or otherwise. This interesting fact manifests abundantly in the wonderful work done by the dynamic, young Goan group known as GREEN CROSS.

A shikra rescued in Porvorim

WITH conservation of Goa's depleting wild-life topping their priority list, the young volunteers of the Green Cross have been involved in a number of diverse activities throughout Goa. They have not restricted their activities to giving talks on snakes and animals alone. But their flying squads rescue wild animals in distress due to accidents when their natural habitats are disturbed, and treat the animals with care before being released in the forests or handed over to the Forest Department.

They have a tiny office called "But Naturally" in a side lane at the Dangui Colony in Mapusa, since February 4. A valuable info centre on wild life in Goa, through books and other publicity material, the office also serves as an outlet for paintings, ceramics and other art-related items, which fund their green activities.

Black cobras from the Flea MarketThe 40 odd Green Cross team, led by fine art student Nirmal Kulkarni, fear none, whether they keep a vigil in the deep forests of Sattari or elsewhere to protect wildlife from poachers or when raiding the hideouts where people keep the animals as pets. They ferret out snake-charmers, who maim, torture and use reptiles for selfish ends. Besides their top man Sunil Korajkar, a law student, quite a few of the volunteers are experts at handling all types of snakes. They frequently answer emergency calls when snakes accidentally slither into someone's compound or house.

A shikra, a civet cat, a barn owl, honey bees, a crocodile, black cobras, a kite…a whole list of exotic wild life, which has been stalked and pursued by many, has found a reliable saviour in the Green Cross. Have a peep into their log from January 30 to March 7 alone.

  • Jan 30: Shikra rescued from a Porvorim in Socorro.
  • Feb 04: Palm Civet rescued in Mapusa.
    Feb 07: Giant Malabar Squirrel
    Feb 10: Barn Owl found in Khorlim, Mapusa.
    Feb 14: Rat Snake caught in Panjim and released in the forest.
    Feb 14: Pariah Kite rescued from a house in Betim and handed over to the Forest Depart after being treated.
    Feb 07: Peacock feather confiscated at the Anjuna Flea Market and handed over to the Forest Dept.
    Feb 20: Crocodile rescued outside Ciba factory in Corlim.
    Feb 22: Honey bees recovered from the housing board colony in Mapusa and released in the wild.
    Feb 24: Spotted Owlet found in Keri, Sanquelim. Under treatment.
    Feb 28: Black Cobras (3) confiscated from snake-charmers at the Anjuna Flea Market.
  • Mar 03: Python caught in Bastora and released in Valpoi. The biggest python caught. It was 3.5 m long and weighed 27 kg.
    Mar 05: Python recovered from a house in Peddem, Mapusa, and released in Valpoi.
    Mar 07: Parrots (7) recovered from a bird-seller at the Friday Bazaar in Mapusa and released in Peddem and Tivim.
    Mar 07: ackal caught in Arpora. Under treatment.

JD