Says panel’s views will be examined; govt will place its submissions
PANAJI
While declining to comment on the CEC’s report regarding the proposed Tiger Reserve citing that the matter is sub judice, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday said that the Supreme Court’s decision will be “binding” on the government.
Reacting to the media questions, Rane emphasised that it would be inappropriate for any minister to speak on issues currently before the Supreme Court. “I would not like to comment on anything that is sub-judice or pending before the Supreme Court. We have to go by whatever the SC decides. Whatever the SC decides will be binding on us,” he said.
Rane further said the committee appointed by the Supreme Court has conducted its assessment, and its observations will be examined by the State government at the appropriate stage. “The Committee appointed by the Supreme Court has to be respected. Their views would be looked into by the government,” he said.
“We will place our submissions before the court. Since the matter is under judicial consideration, it is not proper to offer any remarks at this stage,” the Minister asserted.
Earlier in October, Rane in his submission before the CEC had expressed strong objections to the proposed identification or notification of any part of Goa as a Tiger Reserve. He had stated that no scientific study or empirical data has been placed on record to justify the classification of the area as a Tiger Reserve, and that such a declaration would require clear, compelling, and contemporaneous scientific evidence demonstrating the presence of a resident and breeding tiger population along with supporting ecological parameters, which, according to him, are presently absent.
He had further observed that, at best, the forest areas of Goa may function as a corridor for occasional, transient movements of tigers between the neighbouring States of Karnataka and Maharashtra, and that not every such corridor is required to be notified as a Tiger Reserve under the law.
The Minister had also expressed concern that any notification would impose an enhanced and unwarranted regulatory regime, resulting in large-scale displacement of human habitations, serious disruption of livelihoods, and grave social and economic hardship affecting the rights and dignity of the local communities.
