*Grab this opportunity to do something for Goa* **
Save Goa Campaign UK, GoaNet and Goan Voice UK have joined forces to bring to your attention a petition for the inclusion of Goa in the nomination of Western Ghats as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and in support of Goa’s first Tiger Reserve. Now that whole hell has broken loose in Goa regarding illegal mining, we must not lose sight of the fact that contrary to popular belief, and the even more popular slogan “Goa, going, gone… “, miraculously there are still parts of Goa that have escaped the claws of the mining industry and its bulldozers. One of them is the Western Ghats, which expands across five states along the west coast of India. But the fragile ecosystem of this mountain range is in danger of being destroyed by the pressures and demands of a growing population. But in Goa the Western Ghats are in danger of ever contracting proximity of an ever expanding mining belt. Internationally recognised as one of the world's eihteen bio-diversity hotspots, and the habitat of an incredible number of endemic species, these mountains are the last refuge for wildlife in the region. They also act as the monsoon gateway and are the mother of all our rivers in Goa. For the benefit of present and future generations, it is imperative that we protect the Western Ghats from short sighted “development” projects. Given the current standard of government we have especially in Goa, only a UNESCO World Heritage status will protect the Western Ghats from falling in the hands of the mining industry. And why a tiger reserve? Many Goans these days are very concerned about saving our heritage and our culture – our buildings, our music and dances, our cuisine and so on. But I bet very few did ever consider the Tiger as part of our heritage. Goa has a special relationship with Tigers. Tigers obviously made a very big impression on our ancestors, so much so that in such a small place like Goa, there are 15 names of places related to Tigers – *Vagh* (in Konkani) - *Vagh Colamb*, *Vaghator, Vagapeth, Vagh Dongari* to name a few. There are 10 tiger shrines in and near Hindu temples. Having almost wiped out the entire tiger population in Goa, we must protect and cherish the few that are still in our forests. If we have 15 places named after tigers, and ten shrines, the least we can do is have at least one protected place for them in Goa. India is one of the countries which have some Tigers left amongst the 3000 left across the world. The magnificent species whose numbers were close to 1, 00,000 a hundred years ago struggles to survive within a human population of 1.2 Billion. Goa’s forests are one of the last of its refuge and if Goa, one of the most progressive states in India cannot ensure its survival in its forests, what example can we set for other states to follow? Goans need to cherish the legacy of Jim Corbett and Kenneth Anderson who worked in the forests of India to protect its natural heritage. The bottom line is, if the tigers survive in India so do we. Many countries across the world have called upon India to do more to save the species. As Goan’s, don’t we have a duty towards saving it from extinction? The links below will take you to the petition. Please do read it and if you agree please do sign! http://www.goanvoice.org.uk/ http://goanvoice.org.uk/petition/petition.php