Abdul Wahab Khan
Panaji
The Goa State Wetland Authority (GSWA) will launch an ambitious project to digitally map and physically demarcate 25 officially notified wetlands across
the state.
The initiative aims to strengthen wetland conservation efforts by using advanced drone-based surveying, GIS mapping tools, and GPS-tagged physical markers with interactive digital map platform so as to accurately outline wetland boundaries.
The authority has issued a tender, calling for agencies to undertake the task of digital validation, ground-truthing, and the installation of concrete poles to mark the wetland boundaries at five-metre intervals.
These poles will help define the 50-m buffer zones from the highest flood level recorded in the past decade, as required under the Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
The authority has set a tight timeline, requiring work on 12 larger wetlands (those exceeding 2.5 hectares) to be completed within 10-15 days of issuing the work order.
The work on the remaining smaller wetlands must be completed within one month thereafter.
The project also requires the selected agency to offer remote monitoring solutions and ensure that the demarcation stones remain durable for at least ten years. Maintenance support for three years is also mandatory.
Officials said the use of drone and GIS technology is not just about mapping — it’s about creating a long-term digital platform for monitoring changes in wetland size, encroachments, and environmental threats.
“This is a crucial step toward scientific management and real-time monitoring of our wetlands,” said a GSWA official. “We aim to make the data accessible to policymakers, researchers, and the public.”
Wetlands serve as critical ecological infrastructure, providing natural flood control, water purification, and habitat for numerous species of flora and fauna.
