PANAJI
The Supreme Court has adjourned the matter pertaining to Tiger Reserve to March 19 granting two weeks time to the petitioner Goa Foundation to file their affidavit.
Goa Foundation has sought time to file their affidavit in response to the State government's affidavit challenging the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) recommending notifying Tiger Reserve covering 468.60 sq km of protected forest areas in the State during the first phase.
The proposed reserve includes Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, and parts of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park. A senior official at the State secretariat confirmed that the government will contest the findings, citing several lacunae in the CEC report.
The State in its affidavit argued that the proposal is based on an erroneous understanding of law, lacks empirical backing, and ignores the State’s right to decide conservation measures best suited to its unique geography and social conditions.
It cautioned that directing notification of a tiger reserve in Goa would be “superfluous” and could trigger serious unintended consequences, including resentment among local inhabitants due to resettlement pressures and a rise in man–animal conflict.
“Report submitted by the CEC ought not to be considered by this Hon’ble Court. Given the lack of any scientific, legal and ecological justification behind its observations and recommendations, the Report suffers from vagueness and demonstrates failure to properly consider and/or appreciate the issues involved,” the affidavit states.
The State further submitted that the report’s observations are riddled with contradictions and “non-application of mind,” particularly on the most fundamental issue — the presence of tigers in Goa’s protected areas.
It also said that CEC “enlarged the scope of its enquiry” and proceeded well beyond the mandate laid down in the Supreme Court’s order dated September 8, 2025. The government maintained that the CEC was expected to conduct a limited and objective examination, but instead issued what were effectively directions to notify a tiger reserve -- an action it claims the committee had no authority to take.
