PANAJI
The Goa State government filed an application before the Bombay High Court at Goa on Tuesday seeking an extension of time to reach a settlement with forest dwellers around the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, submission that came a week after the deadline lapsed on July 14.
The government submitted that it has complied with other directives from the High Court and mentioned that an appeal challenging the High Court's order is expected to be heard by the Supreme Court on August 14.
The June 10 hearing saw the State government assuring the High Court that it would settle claims under the Forest Rights Act and Scheduled Tribes Rights for residents of the Mhadei and nearby wildlife sanctuaries by July 24, 2024.
The Court is hearing a contempt petition filed by the Goa Foundation against the State government for not notifying the tiger reserve.
On July 24, 2023, the High Court directed the government to notify a tiger reserve in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and other contiguous areas within three months and to determine and settle the rights and claims of Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers within a year, following a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Goa Foundation.
