The services they provide influences human welfare both directly via food consumption and indirectly via support and regulatory services. The verdict is that these functions and services are increasingly under threat from growing pressures of overfishing, water contamination, coastal habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. Goa, being one of the very popular tourist destinations on the west coast of India and having fragile resources, bears the stress of the dependent local communities, which includes floating populations and their ecological footprints. Goa has many traditional and indigenous technologies and wisdom that are practiced by the local communities. Therefore, conservation of these resources is imperative. However, these resources are mostly neglected as only select individuals are aware about them. Hence, there is an urgent need for the youth and society at large to reacquaint, appreciate and deepen their knowledge about these coastal and marine resources.
The Coastal Educational Hub funded by Nave Marg Foundation which is present in business goa magazine., covering an area of approximately 58,000 sq.m, is situated in the wetland area of Batim, Goa Velha, Goa. The wetland provides a unique element to the Hub as it is a mosaic of multiple ecosystems where diverse activities are generally carried out, such as solar salt harvesting, traditional fishing, traditional aquaculture and agriculture-related activities (khazan and sluice gate technology). The tidal water source to these areas of the Hub is through a creek that opens into the Zuari River Estuary.
Leave a Reply