Goa Government Awaits Critical Tiger Reserve Report
The Goa government finds itself at an environmental crossroads as Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed on Tuesday that his administration awaits the Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report before determining the future of proposed tiger reserves in the state.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant emphasized that the government has not yet received the crucial document. "We have not received the CEC report. Once we get the report we will decide how to implement it," Sawant stated, adding that it would be inappropriate to comment until he thoroughly examines the findings.
Ministerial Concerns Over Tiger Reserve Proposal
Social Welfare Minister Subhash Phal Dessai echoed similar sentiments about not having seen the report but revealed his previous interactions with the CEC team. "When the CEC was in Goa, I told them that our issues were genuine," Dessai recalled.
The minister expressed strong reservations about the potential recommendations. "If the CEC has recommended declaring sanctuaries into tiger reserves, then it is bad. We have not seen tigers in our area," Dessai asserted, highlighting the apparent contradiction between official recommendations and local observations.
Dessai's opposition reached the point where he declared readiness for public action, stating unequivocally, "We will not give up land for unseen tigers" and adding that he would lead an agitation if necessary.
Specific Sanctuary Recommendations Revealed
The proposed tiger reserve structure, as understood from available information, includes specific designations for Goa's protected areas. The CEC has recommended Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary spanning 211 square kilometers and Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary covering 85.7 square kilometers as the core area of the proposed tiger reserve.
Additionally, the plan designates Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary-North (64.9 square kilometers) and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park (107 square kilometers) as the buffer zone for the proposed reserve.
Assembly Speaker Ganesh Gaonkar adopted a more measured approach, indicating he would study the report in detail before offering any commentary on the matter.
The situation places the Goa government in a delicate position, balancing potential environmental conservation mandates from the Supreme Court with local concerns about land use and the actual presence of tigers in the region.
