PANJIM: Goa Foundation has opposed the plea of the State government in the Bombay High Court at Goa, seeking extension of one more year for settling forest right claims of Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary dwellers.
The Court is hearing a miscellaneous civil application filed by the NGO against the State government for not notifying the Tiger Reserve. On July 24, 2023, the High Court by an order had asked the government to settle the rights of forest dwellers by July 24, 2024, while passing the order regarding notifying Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding protected areas as a Tiger Reserve, within three months.
During the last hearing, the State govt had also told the Court that it had set up eight additional anti-poaching camps at strategic locations staffed by forest guards, watchers, etc, in the Wildlife Sanctuary and National Parks.