The Goa Government and Forest Department have proposed an ‘eco-tourism’ project on Surla Plateau, within Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary. The project will have many ecological impacts which are detailed below:

1) Ecological value of laterite plateaus
Though often perceived as barren wastelands, laterite plateaus are now recognized as vital ecosystems rich in biodiversity and endemic species. Research has uncovered hundreds of plant species, especially monsoon-dependent herbaceous plants, thriving on these rocky tablelands, with over 300 species identified on high-altitude plateaus like the Surla plateau. The Kaas plateau in Maharashtra, a known biodiversity hotspot, hosts over 800 species, and similar diversity is expected on the Surla plateau, including threatened and endemic species. These plateaus support critical ecological functions, such as mass flowering events that sustain pollinators like bees and flies, while their grassy expanses provide habitats for open-area birds like Malabar larks and quails. They also shelter diverse fauna, including amphibians, reptiles, and protected species like king cobras. Their ecological value is highlighted by data from a single plateau, the Socorro plateau in Goa, which reveals the presence of 266 species of birds, over
50% of Goa’s total bird species.

Why It Matters: The Plateau serves as a unique habitat that supports hundreds of species of unique and indigenous flora and fauna

2) Tigers on Surla plateau                                                    Surla plateau is part of the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, one of Goa’s largest and most biodiverse protected areas. The biodiversity of these forests includes hundreds of species of birds, invertebrates, and mammals, including Schedule 1 species such as Pangolins, leopards, and Gaur. There have also been numerous reports and sightings of Tigers in the Wildlife Sanctuary that have been extensively reported in the media. The National Tiger Conservation Authority and the High Court of Bombay in Goa have ordered the Goa Government to declare the entire WLS as a Tiger Reserve, but the state is yet to do so. Importantly, researchers have observed the tiger on the Surla plateau and the adjoining areas, the site of the proposed project. Images of a tiger were captured on camera traps set up in the plateau, indicating its role as part of the tiger’s habitat. There has been no permission from the NTCA for this project despite this evidence.

Why It Matters: Tigers are Schedule 1 species and play critical roles in the ecosystem. To continue this project would be to destroy critical habitat for the national animal

3) Unique fauna of Surla plateau                       Researchers have been studying the fauna of Surla plateau for many years and unique species have been described from this area. These include the scorpion Hottentota vinchu (Mirza et al. 2019) and the frog Fejarvarya goemchi (Dinesh et al, 2017). These species are highly range restricted and are likely only found in a few localities. The fact that this project has been proposed from the very place that these new, endemic species have been described is extremely concerning. Researchers have also observed the presence of Schedule 1 species, including sloth bears and leopards, on Surla plateau, highlighting its importance as a critical wildlife habitat. 

Why It Matters: Numerous species have been discovered on this very plateau. The project could severely impact these endemic species.

4) Misunderstood Ecosystems
Laterite plateaus have been seen by bureaucrats, politicians, and managers as ‘wastelands’ as reflected in their categorisation under the Wasteland Atlas of India, produced by the Department of Land Resources. This designation has encouraged the conversion of these areas into ‘productive’ land, which in Goa has meant concretization for industrial estates and townships. These include the large industrial estates of Verna, Kundaim, and Colvale, as well as large developments on the Kadamba, Mopa and Bambolim plateaus. Concretization has led to
impacts on surrounding villages, such as reports of wells drying up in areas surrounding the Mopa Plateau (Ghorpade 2024)

Why It Matters: There are only very few intact plateaus in Goa, and it is imperative that the increasing evidence of their ecological importance is considered.

Our Demands:
We demand that the permissions for this project are revoked and the plateau is protected, ensuring that the biodiversity of this unique area is preserved.
Sign this petition to make these demands!