Supreme Court stays development in proposed tiger reserve areas in Goa
Panaji: The Supreme Court on Monday directed a status quo on all development in areas earmarked for a tiger reserve in Goa, while referring the matter to a Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for a report within two weeks.
A Bench of Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and Justices K. Vinod Chandran and Atul S. Chandurkar ordered that no projects be undertaken until the committee examines the issue and hears all stakeholders, including the petitioner and the State government, within six weeks.
The court was hearing appeals filed by the Goa government and others against a July 2023 Bombay High Court at Goa order mandating the State to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas as a tiger reserve within three months, and to prepare a tiger conservation plan.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the State, contended that such a notification would remove nearly 20% of Goa’s land from human use and affect around 15,000 families. He also argued that the prescribed minimum area for a tiger reserve was 1,000 sq. km, while Goa had demarcated 745.18 sq. km.
Countering this, senior advocate Norma Alvares, representing the Goa Foundation, said the proposed reserve fell entirely within existing sanctuaries and national parks, requiring no additional land acquisition. She also flagged concerns that the government was clearing commercial eco-tourism projects in the core zone despite the pending case.
Referring to past NTCA recommendations and the State’s own demarcation of reserve boundaries, Ms. Alvares argued that the High Court’s order was in line with the statutory framework and Supreme Court precedents, including Justice Gavai’s 2024 judgment in the Corbett tiger reserve matter.
The apex court has now tasked the CEC with submitting its report in two weeks, after which the matter will be listed for further orders.
