Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) is expected to visit Goa after October 15 to carry out a field assessment on the proposed tiger reserve issue.
In July 2023, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had directed the State government to declare the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining notified areas, as identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Goa Forest Department’s plans, as a tiger reserve within three months.
The Goa government subsequently challenged this order before the Supreme Court through a special leave petition.
On September 8, the apex court ordered a status quo on all developmental activities in the areas identified for notification as a tiger reserve. It also tasked the CEC to examine the matter in detail and file its report within six weeks.
According to sources, the committee was initially expected in Goa this week but its visit has now been pushed to after October 15.
“CEC has to submit another report to the Supreme Court before October 15, and only after that the team will travel to Goa,” sources revealed, adding that the final report on the tiger reserve will be placed before the Court by November 8.
The Supreme Court has listed the matter “high on board” for hearing on November 12, when it will take up the CEC’s findings and recommendations. The committee held its first hearing with stakeholders, including the State government and petitioner Goa Foundation, on September 16.
In its submissions before the CEC, the State government argued that the Mhadei forest belt functions merely as a corridor for tiger movement between Maharashtra and Karnataka, and that there is no scientific evidence establishing the presence of resident tiger populations in Goa. The government further maintained that NTCA’s recommendations are not binding, and any final decision on declaring a tiger reserve should follow a review of the proposal’s feasibility.
