MARGAO, Goa: The Biodiversity Management Committee (BMC) Raia, won the Goa State Biodiversity Award among the BMCs of South Goa. Antonio Fernandes, President of Raia BMC has expressed his happiness and praised the committee for putting efforts into conserving the wetlands and the ecosystem in the village. He also mentioned the construction of sluice gates which has led to the storage of water for irrigation, thereby reviving the old ways of irrigation system along the protective bunds.
“The then deputy sarpanch Oswald D’Souza supported us a lot in this task,” Fernandes said. He further added, “Farmers are now reaping benefits of these water storage measures and some enterprising farmers have even ventured into fish farming and are doing quite well. Also, a regular movement of birds and migratory visitors were seen after efforts were put in to revive the Bacbatt Lake.