SUNDAY, JUNE 16, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The Goa government on Friday filed a miscellaneous civil application before the High Court of Bombay at Goa, for extension of time to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas as a Tiger Reserve.
As the deadline given by the High Court ends on October 24, the government is likely to mention the matter on Monday, October 23, for urgent hearing.
However, Speaking to O Heraldo, Advocate General Devidas Pangam said the government has not asked for any specific amount of time.
“We have not asked for any specific amount of time. We have said that give us appropriate extension,” he said.
Goa Foundation Director Claude Alvares told O Heraldo that he has not received any notices with regards to the case.
The State government had already approached the Supreme Court to nullify the order of the High Court. However, on September 25, the Apex Court refused to stay the High Court order and issued notices to the Goa Foundation, Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC), NTCA, Goa State Board for Wildlife, Goa Forest Department and the Chief Wildlife Warden.
On July 24 this year in response to public interest litigation (PIL) writ petition filed by the NGO Goa Foundation, the High Court had directed the State government to issue a notification declaring Tiger Reserve within three months to notify, a deadline that expires on October 24.
Additionally, the Court had also asked the government to prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan as per the Wild Life Protection Act and submit it to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) within the same time-frame and to establish anti-poaching camps at strategic locations within six months, staffed by forest guards and watchers so as to curb poaching and protect wildlife.
Furthermore, the Court had asked the government to determine and settle the rights and claims of the Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other forest dwellers following the law as expeditiously as possible and preferably within 12 months.
