Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
Context:
Recently, the South Western Railway and the Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) were served notices regarding a PIL challenging the land acquisition process at Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) Wildlife Sanctuary.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Environment)
About Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
- Location: Situated in the Western Ghats on Goa’s eastern border.
- Status: Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and includes Mollem National Park.
- Area: Covers 240 sq. km and houses Dudhsagar waterfall, Devil’s Canyon, Tambdi Surla temple, and other historic sites.
- Vegetation: Tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests.
- Flora: Teak, bamboo, cashew, and eucalyptus.
- Fauna: Includes Gaur, Sambar, Leopards, Spotted Deer, Jungle Cats, Malayan Giant Squirrels, Pythons, and Cobras.
Prelims Question:
Consider the following statements about Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary:
- The sanctuary includes Mollem National Park.
- It mainly consists of West Coast tropical evergreens and moist deciduous forests.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
