Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has taken a cautious stand on the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee’s (CEC) recommendations for the proposed Goa Tiger Reserve, with both Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane declining to comment until they examine the full report.
Chief Minister Sawant clarified that the state has not yet received the committee’s findings. “As far as the tiger reserve is concerned, till now we are yet to receive the report. Once we receive it, we will go through the recommendations,” he said. Sawant stressed that it would be inappropriate to speak on the issue without reviewing the details, adding that the government will decide on implementation only after studying the report thoroughly.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane echoed the Chief Minister’s position, stating he would not comment as the matter is sub judice. “The SC-appointed committee must be respected, and the state government will act according to its recommendations,” he said, reinforcing the government’s official line of restraint.
The CEC has recommended including protected areas contiguous to Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve — especially those with fewer settlements — in the first phase of the proposed reserve. Areas with dense habitation, such as parts of Bhagwan Mahavir and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuaries, may be excluded from Phase I.
With both the CM and the Forest Minister emphasising due process and legal protocol, the government is unlikely to make any policy announcement until the report is formally received and studied.
