Goa Set to Release Its First Biodiversity and Culture Map

Overview: Goa has officially released its first-ever Biodiversity and Cultural Map with support from WWF-India. The kid-friendly visual guide highlights 48 commonly found species and links them with traditional Goan cultural elements like Kaavi art. The initiative aims to strengthen environmental awareness and heritage education among school children.

Riyaz

Feb-13-2026

Goa Set to Release Its First Biodiversity and Culture Map

The first biodiversity and cultural map has officially been released in Goa, which was done through the support of WWF India. The new visual guide points out 48 species that are commonly distributed throughout the state, including catfish and mangroves as well as tigers and local birds, and matches them with the elements of the traditional Goan culture, such as Kaavi art. The map will be kid-friendly and distributed to the schools both electronically and physically as part of a larger initiative of reinforcing the environmental consciousness and relating the young learners to the natural and cultural heritage of the region.

Goa’s 1st biodiversity map on 48 species

Goa has also introduced the first biodiversity and cultural map in the state, which was created with the help of WWF-India.
The map includes 48 of the most frequent local species, including aquatic life, like catfish; mammal species, like tigers; several species of birds; insects; and mangrove species.
It links biodiversity to the Goan cultural heritage, including elements of Kaavi art.
The map is also kid-friendly, and this aspect will motivate children to be environmentally conscious and observe.
It was announced at the Goa Art and Literature Festival (GALF) 2026.
The copies will be distributed to Goan schools in print and electronic copies.
They are also offering large wall-sized versions to government and aided schools at no cost.
The chosen species are those that children are supposed to see in their natural environments.
The programme will be used to awaken interest and encourage a hands-on learning experience in classrooms.
It is also through the engagement of the teachers that WWF-India is assisting in making the map part of the environmental education initiatives.

PYQs on Biodiversity and Cultural

Exam	Year	Question	Options	Answer
SSC CGL	2022	The conservation of species outside their natural habitat is known as	(A) In-situ conservation (B) Ex-situ conservation (C) Biosphere reserve (D) Wildlife corridor	(B) Ex-situ conservation
SSC CHSL	2021	The Red Data Book contains information about:	(A) Medicinal plants (B) Endangered species (C) Forest cover (D) Polluted rivers	(B) Endangered species
SSC CGL	2020	Which of the following is an example of in situ conservation?	(A) Zoo (B) Botanical garden (C) National park (D) Seed bank	(C) National park
Railway NTPC	2021	Lichens are considered good indicators of:	(A) Water pollution (B) Soil fertility (C) Air pollution (D) Noise pollution	(C) Air pollution
Railway Group D	2019	The term “ecosystem” was first used by:	(A) Charles Darwin (B) A.G. Tansley (C) Mendel (D) Odum	(B) A.G. Tansley
RRB JE	2022	Jim Corbett National Park is located in:	(A) Rajasthan (B) Madhya Pradesh (C) Uttarakhand (D) Assam	(C) Uttarakhand
SSC CPO	2018	Biodiversity hotspots are regions with:	(A) Low species diversity (B) High endemic species and high threat (C) Desert vegetation (D) High rainfall only	(B) High endemic species and high threat
Railway NTPC	2020	Which of the following is a biodiversity hotspot in India?	(A) Western Ghats (B) Thar Desert (C) Indo-Gangetic Plain (D) Deccan Plateau	(A) Western Ghats

Biodiversity in India, Listed in UNESCO Sites

Name of Site	Location	Importance (Biodiversity Significance)	Year Listed by UNESCO
Kaziranga National Park	Assam	Home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros; rich grassland ecosystem with tigers and elephants	1985
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary	Assam	Habitat of rare species like the golden langur and the pygmy hog, located in the Himalayan foothills	1985
Keoladeo National Park	Rajasthan	Important wetland and bird sanctuary; major migratory bird habitat	1985
Sundarbans National Park	West Bengal	Largest mangrove forest in the world; habitat of the Royal Bengal Tiger	1987
Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks	Uttarakhand	Alpine meadows with endemic Himalayan flora and fauna	1988 (extended 2005)
Western Ghats	Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu	One of the world’s biodiversity hotspots with high endemic species	2012
Great Himalayan National Park	Himachal Pradesh	Rich alpine biodiversity; habitat of the snow leopard and Himalayan species	2014

Conclusion

The initial Biodiversity and Culture Map of Goa is a significant move towards ensuring that people, particularly the students, are linked with the natural resources and culture of the state. The act of highlighting 48 local species together with traditional forms of art brings about awareness, pride, and responsibility, which reinforce environmental education and long-term conservation due to community involvement.