PANAJI
The decision of the Pramod Sawant government to challenge the Bombay High Court order directing notification of the tiger reserve in core areas of the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary has come in for hard hitting criticism from multiple quarters.
The Activists under the banner 'Save Mhadei Save Tiger' have strongly condemned State government action to challenge the High Court order to declare Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding areas as Tiger reserve.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, activists pointed out that the senior counsel appointed by Goa, Mukul Rohatgi, charges nearly Rs 66 lakhs per hearing. "Why should tax payers money be used to satisfy greed of two MLAs," they questioned.
Activist Rajan Ghate said that the Union Minister Prahlad Joshi is on record to state that the proposed Mhadei Tiger corridor would be major hindrance to Karnataka’s Kalasa-Bhandura water diversion project.
"Tiger Reserve will not only protect Mhadei from Kalasa-Bhandura project, but it will also put a break to Karnataka's dozen odd projects proposed for diversion of river water," he said.
He said that it was the duty of the government to notify the Tiger Reserve at the earliest to protect the perennial sources of thirst quenching forests.
The activists have demanded that of the total 700 sq.km of the protected forests, Goa government can notify only 400 sq. km area into the core and rest in the buffer zone.
The Opposition Congress party slammed the government accusing it of working against the interests of Goa.
"Only land sharks from outside are hurt by this order and the government is working as their agent", Congress leader Elvis Gomes said.
Gomes, addressing a press conference at the party headquarters said the 'Tiger Reserve' was a "sure shot" foil against Karnataka to protect Goa's interest in the Mhadei water sharing dispute.
