The recent sightings of a tigress and her two cubs in Goa’s Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary have sparked renewed interest and deliberation over the state government’s opposition to certifying the sanctuary as a tiger reserve. This marks the first recorded evidence of tigers in this area since 2020, reigniting hopes among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists.
Located on the border of Maharashtra and Karnataka, the sanctuary is not just a haven for local wildlife, but also a battleground for regulatory and ecological concerns. The Bombay High Court’s directive to declare Mhadei a tiger reserve is built on recommendations from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). This recommendation arises from ongoing concerns about habitat loss and the dwindling number of tigers in the Western Ghats, a region that boasts the world’s largest tiger population.
The recent sightings have brought a sense of optimism to conservationists, especially after a troubling episode in 2020 where a tigress and three cubs fell victim to poisoning, allegedly orchestrated by local forest dwellers. This incident led to heightened awareness about the plight of tigers and was a significant motivation for the Goa Foundation, an environmental NGO, to push for the sanctuary’s designation as a tiger reserve.
The NTCA has emphasized the importance of the protected areas in Goa, particularly Mhadei and Mollem, as critical components of the greater Western Ghats ecosystem. However, the increasing pressures from agriculture, industrial expansion, and infrastructure projects pose significant threats to the habitat connectivity essential for maintaining tiger populations.
Despite the excitement surrounding the recent sightings, the Goa Forest Department has yet to officially confirm them. This uncertainty fuels the ongoing debate about whether the government should yield to the court’s order or whether further studies are necessary to assess the implications of such a designation. The state government argues that immediate steps might overlook the rights of local forest dwellers, suggesting that a comprehensive study of the impact on both wildlife and human communities is needed before committing to the tiger reserve status.
The tug-of-war between development and conservation continues to raise difficult questions in Goa. The state government’s reluctance to embrace the tiger reserve label stems from the fear that it might impose restrictions that could limit the traditional rights of the local population. Yet, conservationists assert that protecting the habitat is ultimately beneficial for both wildlife and local communities in the long run.
Moreover, as the Western Ghats landscape is intricately interlinked, any degradation in one area can ripple through the ecosystem, affecting not just tigers but various forms of wildlife that rely on this unique biome. It is crucial for the government to carefully weigh the potential ecological benefits against socio-economic considerations and local rights.
As concerns for both the preservation of wildlife and the needs of local communities remain at the forefront of discussions, it is evident that the dilemma surrounding the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is far from resolved. With ongoing public interest and activism, this issue will continue to unfold, challenging stakeholders to find a harmonious balance between the imperatives of conservation and the rights of the people who call this forest their home. The path forward may be complex, but the fate of Goa’s tigers hangs in the balance, demanding urgent attention and thoughtful deliberation.
SURAJ BNANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
