PANAJI
In a significant revelation before the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden of Goa, Ajai Saxena, stated that Goa’s proposal for a Tiger Reserve had progressed substantially in 2017-18 but was halted following the illness and subsequent demise of then Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar. The Forest Department had then identified approximately 587 sq km as a potential core zone and another 167 sq km as a tiger buffer.
Saxena, in a representation before the CEC, informed that during his tenure as PCCF (Wildlife), all relevant documents, maps and scientific data supporting the Tiger Reserve proposal were presented at the 4th meeting of the Goa State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) on December 16, 2017.
The Forest Department’s Research and Survey Division had prepared detailed GIS-based maps, ensuring that the proposed core zone included minimal human habitation — around 17 settlements with roughly 191 houses — while also identifying three ecotourism zones.
He said Parrikar had personally instructed him to provide a detailed briefing on the proposal; but the proposal was stalled due to CM’s illness and his subsequent transfer to Mizoram forest range.
“However, following the Chief Minister’s illness in April 2018 and the subsequent absence of any further meetings of the SBWL, the process could not be taken forward. Saxena said that he was subsequently relieved from his posting in Goa upon his transfer to Mizoram in January 2019,” the former PCCF said.
According to him, data gathered after the 2017 SBWL meeting — including camera trap evidence and National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) census reports — had already been used to delineate a scientifically backed map identifying approximately 587 sq km as a potential core zone and another 167 sq km as a buffer, largely excluding major villages.
“Based on the data, a map was prepared delineating the contiguous forest habitats of the Western Ghats within the existing Protected Areas, identifying approximately 587 sq. km as the proposed Core Zone and 167 sq. km as the Buffer Zone, with efforts made to exclude major human habitations and, wherever possible, to place them within the buffer,” he said.
Saxena emphasised that the Western Ghats’ interconnected forest corridors, which support the movement of species like tigers, had made Goa’s landscape ideal for such a reserve. However, the State’s opportunity to formalise the Tiger Reserve nearly seven years ago was ultimately derailed due to the abrupt halt in administrative processes following Parrikar’s prolonged illness and subsequent demise.
