Team Herald
MARGAO: Accusing the government of totally failing to protect the people living in forest areas and their livestock, Congress MLA Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco demanded that the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary be declared a “Tiger Reserve”.
In a letter to Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, he pointed out that the matter was discussed on February 5 during the recently held Assembly session wherein various MLAs participated in the calling attention motion moved by Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat and others.
He said that the government has failed miserably to tackle the human-wildlife conflict over the years and livestock like cows and goats are often devoured by wild animals causing not only anguish and sorrow to the owner but also financial loss.
Reginaldo demanded a thorough probe into the killing of the tigress and her three cubs which, he alleged, could be the work of poachers, mining lobby or real estate developers.
Lamenting that the forest department has failed to create a “demarcated area”, he averred, “This is one of the reasons why the department’s credibility is at all time low.” He emphasised that the flora and fauna needs to be preserved for posterity.
In view of the recent developments, he said, the government should seriously consider the recommendation of the Central Team made in its 28-page report on the tiger killing in Goa.
