PANAJI
The Supreme Court will hear the matter relating to the proposed Tiger Reserve on January 27, Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane informed the House on Thursday.
Declining to respond to questions raised by Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao, Rane said the issue is sub judice. “The matter is presently before the Supreme Court, and the next date of hearing is January 27, 2026,” the minister stated.
Alemao had sought details on whether the government has initiated the process to notify Phase I of the proposed Tiger Reserve, as recommended by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), and whether a tiger conservation plan has been drafted.
Under Phase I, the CEC has proposed a Tiger Reserve encompassing the protected areas of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, and parts of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, covering a total area of 468.60 sq km.
As reported earlier, during the upcoming hearing, the Goa government is expected to submit an affidavit contesting the CEC’s findings, citing several lacunae in the committee’s report.
According to the CEC, there are 102 households within the areas proposed for Phase I -- 50 in Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, 41 in Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary, nine in the northern part of Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary, and two in Bhagwan Mahaveer National Park. The committee has noted that these forest tracts are directly contiguous with Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve and, therefore, merit consideration for the establishment of a state Tiger Reserve.
During the previous hearing on December 15, 2025, the Supreme Court granted the Goa government and Goa Foundation two weeks’ time to file their responses.
