Goa seeks Unesco approval

The Goa government is aiming to get sections of the Western Ghats recognised by Unesco.

There are plenty of reasons to travel to Goa – one of the most popular holiday destinations in the Indian sub-continent – but there could soon be another added to the list.

The Goa government will look to gain the support of the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest to have the Western Ghats listed as a World Heritage site by Unesco, reports the Times of India.

Environment and Forest Minister Alina Saldanha said that the recognition will aid national and international co-operation to protect the forests of Goa.

“Besides, there will be immense scope for tourists and researchers who like to visit the area and study the diverse species,” the minister added.

According to Ms Saldanha, there are more than 1,500 different types of plant and rare animal species in the Goa sector of the Western Ghats.

The mountain chain is 1600 km long and is already recognised by Unesco in several places including Kerala and Karntaka.

There are currently 962 World Heritage sites in the 157 states across the globe.

Written by Erin Marshall

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