PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Thursday said the State government has not yet received the proposal of the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), which has reportedly recommended the creation of a tiger reserve in Goa in two phases.
Speaking to journalists after Thursday's weekly Cabinet meeting, Sawant reiterated that the government is still awaiting the official communication from the committee.
“We have not received the CEC report so far. Once the government receives it, we will study the recommendations carefully and then make our position clear,” Sawant said.
The CEC, constituted by the Supreme Court to monitor compliance with environmental laws, was designated to study the practicality of setting up a tiger reserve in Goa directed by an order of the Bombay High Court. The Goa government has challenged this order before the Apex Court.
After visits to the State and consultations with stakeholders earlier this month, the CEC has submitted its report to the Supreme Court which suggests the declaration of a tiger reserve in Goa, citing the presence of tiger habitats in the State’s forested areas.
The proposal, according to reports, envisages a phased approach to setting up the reserve, which would involve notifying specific stretches of forest land under the Wildlife Protection Act.
Sawant, however, declined to comment on the details of the proposal, stressing that the government cannot respond to media reports in the absence of an official document.
“We will speak about the issue only after receiving the report and examining it in detail,” he said.
The prospect of a tiger reserve in Goa has generated considerable debate in recent years, with conservationists welcoming it as a step towards protecting biodiversity, while sections of the local population have expressed concerns about potential restrictions on land use and livelihoods.
Environmental groups have long argued that Goa’s forests, particularly in the Western Ghats region, are home to rich wildlife, including tigers, and deserve stronger legal protection.
On the other hand, stakeholders in mining, agriculture, and tourism have voiced apprehensions about the impact of a tiger reserve on economic activity.
Sawant’s statement indicates that the government will adopt a cautious approach, balancing ecological concerns with socio-economic realities. The issue is expected to gain prominence once the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the CEC’s recommendations.
