Goemkarponn Desk
PANAJI: Goa government has filed an application before the High Court today seeking more time to declare the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas as a tiger reserve.
On July 24 this year high court had directed the state to issue a notification within three months – a deadline that expires on October 24.
Govt has already challenged the order before the Supreme Court. However, SC has not granted stay on the HC order.
The Goa government had filed a special leave petition (SLP) challenging the July 24, 2023.
High Court order directing it to notify the Tiger Reserve within three months from the date of the order and additionally to prepare a tiger conservation plan as per the Wildlife Protection Act and submit it to the NTCA within the same time-frame.
Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane refused to disclose the reason behind the government’s intention to file the SLP stating that when the matter was already in the Supreme Court, it was not advisable for him to say anything.
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was also directed by the High Court to render full assistance to the State government in completing the above process and to expeditiously process the government’s Tiger Conservation Plan.
And also take a decision thereon in three months of receiving the tiger conservation plan from the government.
