Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: Forest Minister Vishwajit Rane informed the House on Thursday that “if required, a legislation would be brought to defend the decision in the interest of people” while adamantly stating that the government would appeal the High Court’s verdict about the Tiger Reserve.
Being the voice of the people, the government, according to Rane, “will do everything to defend the interest of the people” and see that “justice is done.”
The government will present its case to the relevant authority. Rane said that if we had to present our case to a higher authority, we would have to go with and defend our people.
“We’re staying with our folks. We’ll stand up for it. If necessary, we will introduce legislation and stand by our choice, added Rane.
“We cannot leave them,” he continued, “just because those individuals (residing in animal sanctuaries) cannot speak out or cannot afford money to engage a lawyer to appeal the case at the Supreme Court.
I completely respect the judiciary, the minister declared. But do we really want the economy to stop moving? From Sattari to Canacona, according to HC rule, is the reserve area.
He continued by saying that the State already has a sizable region designated as a protected area and that steps were being done.
“Has anyone, including the government or an NGO, conducted a socioeconomic effect study, an assessment research, or a study of the tiger population? If not, on what foundation should we establish a tiger reserve? Where are we going to put those folks in rehabilitation? Because of one governor’s declaration of a sanctuary in 1999, when President’s Rule was in effect, they are already suffering, Rane added.
Venzy Viegas, AAP member from Benaulim, questioned the government’s plan to designate Mhadei as a Tiger Reserve.
He emphasized that the necessity for a Tiger Reserve was spurred on by the frequent reports of tigers by people and the deaths of four tigers, including kittens, in 2020.
We have three months to designate a tiger reserve, so it’s critical that the government raise the requisite public awareness, the official stated.
