Tiger Reserve: SC Orders Status Quo In Goa’s Mhadei-Kotigaon Area

Tiger Reserve

The Supreme Court on Monday directed that status quo be maintained in the Mhadei-Kotigaon region of Goa, an area identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for declaration as a tiger reserve.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, along with Justices K. Vinod Chandran and Atul S. Chandurkar, restrained any new projects or development activities in the sanctuary until further orders. The court also asked a central empowered committee to hear all stakeholders and decide the matter within six weeks.

Goa Government Challenges High Court Order

The direction comes in connection with a petition filed by the Goa government and others challenging a Bombay High Court order. Earlier this year, the high court had directed the state to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining areas as a tiger reserve within three months, based on NTCA’s recommendation.

The Supreme Court, while agreeing to examine the issue, sought responses from the NTCA and other concerned authorities.

Court’s Strong Observations

In its judgment, the Bombay High Court had emphasized the ecological balance between forests and wildlife, even quoting the Mahabharata, “If there is no forest, then the tiger gets killed; if there is no tiger, then the forest gets destroyed. Hence, the tiger protects the forest and the forest guards the tiger!”

The court directed the Goa government to prepare a tiger conservation plan under the Wildlife Protection Act and submit it to NTCA within three months of notifying the reserve. It also asked NTCA to provide full assistance to expedite the process.

Protective Measures Ordered

Apart from the notification, the high court issued detailed directions to strengthen conservation efforts. These included:

Setting up anti-poaching camps with forest guards and watchers at key points in sanctuaries and national parks.

Completing this exercise within 6 months.

Ensuring strict measures to prevent encroachments in protected forest areas, both pending and after notification of the tiger reserve.

Sanctuary Details

Spread across 208 square kilometres, the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Goa’s northeastern belt, adjoining Karnataka. Conservationists have long demanded its notification as a tiger reserve, given its rich biodiversity and reported tiger presence.

With the Supreme Court’s order, no developmental activity can be taken up in the Mhadei-Kotigaon area until the empowered committee hears the parties and delivers its findings.