PANAJI:
In a major setback to the Goa government, the Supreme Court on Monday stayed all the developments in and around the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary.
The Apex bench, while hearing the matter pertaining to declaring the Mhadei WLS and its surrounding areas as a tiger reserve, has directed the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to study the matter and submit a report within two weeks.
According to the petitioner, Goa Foundation, the CEC has been asked to hear out all the stakeholders, including the Central and State governments and the petitioner in the matter.
“The matter has been adjourned by six weeks,” the petitioner said.
The Goa government had challenged the High Court order dated July 24, 2023, which directed the State to notify the sanctuary as a tiger reserve within three months. While the State approached the Supreme Court in September last year, it is also facing a contempt plea in the High Court for failing to comply with the order.
Meanwhile, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) backed the tiger reserve proposal. In an affidavit before the court earlier, the NTCA said Mhadei holds significant potential for range expansion of tigers in Goa and the northern Western Ghats.
