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Goa Tiger Reserve: SC Panel Recommends Phased Notification
25 Nov
Summary
- SC panel suggested phased tiger reserve notification in Goa.
- Goa government opposes reserve citing large population relocation issues.
- Panel urges community consultations before full tiger reserve inclusion.
A Supreme Court-empowered committee has proposed a two-stage approach for notifying a tiger reserve in Goa. The panel suggests beginning with areas adjacent to Karnataka's Kali Tiger Reserve, emphasizing the critical need for community engagement and confidence-building measures. This recommendation comes despite the Goa government's opposition, which points to the challenges of relocating approximately 100,000 residents.
The committee's report, circulated ahead of a Supreme Court hearing, recommends designating around 468.6 square kilometers of the Cotigao and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuaries as a core area. Areas with significant household populations, like parts of Bhagwan Mahavir and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuaries, are proposed for inclusion in a second phase, contingent upon securing local support and resolving rehabilitation issues.
The panel stressed that declaring a tiger reserve does not mandate compulsory relocation or automatic land acquisition. It urged the state government to initiate awareness programs and commence the notification process within three months, followed by developing a Tiger Conservation Plan to ensure ecological integration with the Kali Tiger Reserve.
