KERI: May 22, is being celebrated as the International Day of Biodiversity this year with the theme on 'Island Biodiversity'.

Goa, nestled amidst the Western Ghats and west coast has displayed rich and varied facets of island biodiversity.

Island ecosystem components are providing vital goods and services, by providing protection against extreme climatic events and also offering habitat for marine animals and reef fish.

Islands are key to the livelihood, economy, well-being and cultural identity of 600 million islanders-one-tenth of the world's population.

Island ecosystems are especially vulnerable to climate change as island species populations tend to be small, localized, and highly specialized, and thus can easily be driven to extinction. Coral reefs, which provide a number of services to island people, are highly sensitive to temperature and chemical changes in seawater.

In Goa, there are more than 40 estuarine, eight marine and about 90 riverine islands.

Sao Jorge Island (St George Island) near the mouth of the Zuari river in Vasco is known for coral reefs. Porites lutea, Favites sp, Turbinaria sp and Astrangia sp. are the species of coral reefs recorded in Goa.

Arvind Untawale, former deputy director of National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, speaking to TOI said, "Goa is known for islands that exhibit rich elements of biological wealth. Our efforts have protected the natural habitat of the mangroves in the island of Chorao as Goa government has notified Dr Salim Ali Bird sanctuary with 1.78 sq.km. area in 1988. We want St George Island, having the diversity of coral reef, to be protected legally. We have also proposed to protect the newly evolved island near Chorao-Divar to also be accorded protection."

Besides, marine and estuarine islands, Goa has riverine islands. Near Sal in Bicholim and Alorna and Ibrampur in Pernem there are small islands known for their agro-biodiversity. Locals call them 'Zuvem'.

Nandkishor Parab from Alorna says, "Our family has the ownership of one of the islands where we grow horse gram, cow pea, chick pea, sesame along with banana and coconut plantations. We have inherited this island from forefathers and want to protect it."

In Sattari, the River Mhadei has fresh water till Ganjem. On the way, this river has many small islands where various facets of biodiversity have been noticed.

"In some areas of Sattari, islands are threatened by illegal sand mining and other anthropogenic forces. As these islands offer refuge to number of species of flora and fauna, they are needed to be protected," says Subodh Naik, a wildlifer working in Sattari.

The member secretary of Goa state biodiversity board Nitin Naik said "We have organized a number of competitions and are releasing a book 'Island biodiversity of Goa'. We want to protect Goa's islands as they are a treasure trove of biodiversity."

Divar, during the ancient period was known as Deepvati island as it was a centre of pilgrimage with the temple of Saptakoteshwar in Naroa and Mahaganapati in Navelim whereas Cumbharjua was the hub of potters and St Estevem was known as 'Shakecho Zuvo', since the locals were involved in cultivation of vegetables.

Pequeno Island near Vasco is known as 'Bat Island' and Grande Island is a famous site for scuba diving.