In a significant set back to the Goa government, the Supreme Court on Mon day ordered status quo in the areas marked for the pro posed Tiger Reserve in the State. The Court also referred the matter to the Central Em powered Committee (CEC), directing it to hear all parties and submit a report within two weeks. Reacting to the Supreme Court’s directive, Claude Al vares, Director of Goa Foun dation, said: “We are happy that the Supreme Court has ordered to maintain status quo. This is exactly what we were hoping for, especially in light of the Goa government’s approval of eco-tourism projects at Surla and Col lem, both of which we have challenged before the High Court.”
Environmental activist and Mhadei Bachao Abhi yan (MBA) secretary, Ra jendra Kerkar, criticised the government’s approach: “The government is pro moting eco-tourism in ar eas that are ecologically sensitive and are habitats for sloth bears and tigers. These projects won’t boost tourism — they will disturb wildlife and pose a serious threat to the environment,” he said. Representing the State, senior advocate Mukul Ro hatgi argued that declaring the Tiger Reserve would remove 20% of Goa’s 3,700 sq km from human use. He noted that the proposed Reserve would only cover already notified Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks, with no new land being acquired.
Rohatgi also contended that a Tiger Reserve requires a mini mum of 1,000 sq km, and warned that around 15,000 families could need relo cation if the Reserve were notified. Countering these claims, senior advocate Norma Al vares, appearing for Goa Foundation, informed the Court that while the appeal was pending, the State gov ernment was green light ing eco-tourism projects in the core zones of the proposed Tiger Reserve. She added that Goa Foun dation had already moved the High Court to halt these approvals.
Alvares further clarified that the areas demarcated for the Tiger Reserve had already been notified as Wildlife Sanctuaries and a National Park as far back as 1967 and between 1999 2000.