Minister strongly objects to proposed tiger reserve plan

SANGUEM
Strongly objecting to a proposal to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and other areas identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as a tiger reserve, Social Welfare Minister and Sanguem MLA Subhash Phal Dessai said it would inflict severe problems on the local population.
Speaking to reporters, Phal Dessai highlighted a historical pattern of hardships faced by the tribal communities and villagers residing in Sanguem’s hinterland areas, specifically citing the consequences stemming from the construction of the Selaulim Dam.
“These villagers were initially forced to rehabilitate elsewhere to pave the way for the dam, only to find that their rehabilitated plots are now situated either within an Eco-Sensitive Zone or the precincts of a Wildlife Sanctuary,” said Phal Dessai.
The minister asserted that the current proposal for the Tiger Reserve represents yet another obstacle from the forest department, compounding the existing issues.
Phal Dessai questioned the rationale behind requiring residents in Sanguem constituency to relocate for the sake of a “yet to be seen tiger”, while also demanding clarity on where the government plans to resettle these affected families.
Phal Dessai also cited several instances of alleged harassment and obstruction by the forest department employees against locals attempting necessary development work.
He pointed out the difficulty of obtaining permissions for development works like laying pipelines or constructing roads in the hilly areas of Sanguem, citing personal experiences of the harassment meted out to locals.
Specific allegations include forest department employees damaging cables being laid for internet connections in the villages, leading to concerns that the establishment of a Tiger Reserve would only exacerbate the harsh treatment and developmental restrictions.
Phal Dessai reiterated his opposition to the proposed Tiger Reserve, emphasising that it offers no benefit to the tribal people inhabiting the remote hilly regions of the Sanguem constituency.