PANAJI: In an attempt to ensure better administration and management of wildlife and eco-tourism in the notified sanctuaries in the state, the government has bifurcated the state level wildlife and eco-tourism division of the forest department into two and formed the wildlife and eco-tourism division (North) and the wildlife and eco-tourism division (South).

Accordingly, two deputy conservators of forest have been given the charge to man the newly-created divisions. The formation of these two divisions along with creation of special ranges to man the Mhadei and Netravali ranges would help in better administration of the two sanctuaries of Mhadei and Netravali, formed way back in the year 2000.

While the DCF in-charge of wildlife and eco-tourism (North) would look after the management of Mhadei, Bhagwan Mahaveer and Bondla sanctuaries besides Dr Salim Ali bird sanctuary and Bhagwan Mahaveer national park, the DCF in-charge of wildlife and eco-tourism (South) would look after the management of Netravali and Cotigao wildlife sanctuaries in South Goa.

Till the creation of the new ranges, the protection of wildlife in Mhadei and Netravali sanctuaries was looked after by the territorial ranges and proper attention could not be given for management of these sanctuaries.

The headquarters of the DCF in-charge of wildlife and eco-tourism (North) would be in Panaji and that of the DCF in-charge of wildlife and eco-tourism (South) would be in Margao. Similarly, the headquarters of the range forest officer in-charge of Mhadei would be in Valpoi while that of Netravali would be at Netravali.

The Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Dr Shashi Kumar told ‘The Navhind Times’ late on Wednesday evening that RFOs to man the newly created ranges would be appointed by July 1.