Supreme Court Grants Goa NGO Two Weeks to File Response on Tiger Reserve Proposal
The Supreme Court of India has provided the non-governmental organization Goa Foundation with a two-week period to submit its formal response to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report concerning the establishment of a tiger reserve in Goa. The apex court has now scheduled the next hearing in this significant environmental case for March 19, 2024.
Details of the Central Empowered Committee's Recommendations
In November, the CEC presented a comprehensive report advocating for the creation of a tiger reserve spanning approximately 468.6 square kilometers in Goa. However, the committee proposed a phased approach, recommending that protected areas with a notably higher density of human households—specifically the southern sections of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary—be excluded during the initial phase of implementation.
The CEC outlined a clear timeline and structure for the proposed reserve:
- The government should commence the notification process for the tiger reserve within the next three months.
- The core area of the reserve should initially comprise the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and the Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary.
- The buffer zone in the first phase should be established in the northern part of the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park.
Goa State Government's Opposition to the Proposal
The Goa state government has strongly contested the CEC's findings, labeling the report as "erroneous" and arguing that a tiger reserve is unnecessary for the region. In an affidavit submitted by the additional principal chief conservator of forests, the government asserted that Goa lacks resident or breeding tiger populations, with only a few transient tigers passing through.
The affidavit further emphasized that Goa's existing wildlife sanctuaries and national park already serve as an effective corridor for tiger movement between the states of Karnataka and Maharashtra. According to the state's position, this ecological function negates the need for a designated tiger reserve, as the current infrastructure adequately supports tiger conservation without additional formal protections.
Legal Context and Background of the Case
This Supreme Court hearing stems from an appeal filed by the Goa government against a 2023 order from the Bombay High Court. The High Court had directed the state to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and other contiguous areas as a tiger reserve, a decision that the state is now challenging at the highest judicial level.
The involvement of the Goa Foundation as an intervenor highlights the ongoing debate between conservation efforts and state governance perspectives. As the March 19 hearing approaches, all parties are preparing their arguments, with the NGO's forthcoming response expected to play a crucial role in shaping the court's final decision on this environmentally and legally significant matter.
