PANAJI
The State government has appointed senior counsel and former Advocate General Mukul Rohatgi to challenge the Bombay High Court at Goa order to notify Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding areas as Tiger Reserve, before the Supreme Court.
The State Law department has issued an order in this regard. According to the order, Rohatgi will represent the State “to challenge the judgment” and “to defend the interest of the State of Goa”.
The order further said that Rohatgi’s office may get in touch with the State forest department to get details of the case.
The move comes even as the Union Government and experts have admitted that declaration of tiger reserve will be a major hindrance to Karnataka’s Mhadei river water diversion project.
The High Court via its order dated July 24, granted three month time to the State government to declare and notify Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding area as tiger reserve along with preparing a tiger conservation plan.
The Court has also directed the State to determine and settle the rights and claims of scheduled tribes and other forest dwellers following the law within 12 months.
