PANAJI
The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is likely to seek one week extension to submit its report pertaining to notifying Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as tiger reserve.
The committee will be on their second visit to Goa from November 16-18 looking for some more clarity on the matter and conduct field visits.
The committee had in October, visited the coastal State for hands-on study on the tiger reserve issue. CEC member Sunil Limaye had visited Kalay forest area to assess the ground reality regarding declaration of Mhadei wildlife sanctuary and its surrounding as tiger reserve and the team had even consulted all relevant stakeholders including forest department, environmentalists, petitioner and elected representatives from areas like Valpoi, Poriem, Sanguem, Canacona, etc.
A senior officer confirmed that the CEC is expected to seek a week extension to submit its report as it will be visiting Goa again from November 16-18 to conduct more field visits.
“CEC is also awaiting more details from the National Tiger Conservation Authority on the proposal," an officer said adding that CEC was expected to submit a report during the next hearing scheduled on November 12.
In July 2023, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had directed the Goa government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and other areas, identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and in plans prepared by the Goa Forest Department, as a tiger reserve within three months. The Goa government filed a special leave petition challenging the High Court’s order.
On September 8, the Supreme Court ordered status quo on all development activities in areas directed to be notified as a tiger reserve and asked a CEC to examine the tiger reserve issue and submit a report in six weeks.
CEC held its first hearing with the stakeholders including Goa government and petitioner Goa Foundation on September 16. The elected representatives and villagers, during their interaction with CEC last month raised strong objections to the Tiger Reserve proposal.
The government in its submission before the CEC said that the Mhadei protected area is only a corridor whereby the tigers transit from Maharashtra to Karnataka or vice versa and that there are no scientific evidence to prove they are residents of the State.
Apex court to hear tiger reserve case
today, Kapil Sibal to represent Goa
PANAJI: The Supreme Court is likely to hear the Tiger Reserve matter on Wednesday.
Sources confirmed that State Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane has proposed the name of senior advocate Kapil Sibal to represent Goa before the Apex Court.
The top court is currently hearing the special leave petition filed by Goa government challenging the Bombay High Court’s July 2023 order directing the state to notify Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding areas as a tiger reserve within three months.
