Notify tiger reserve in Goa, recommends SC-appointed panel, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), appointed by the Supreme Court, has recommended that Goa notify a tiger reserve.
• The recommendation suggests initiating the notification process within the next three months.
• The proposed tiger reserve would initially include areas contiguous to Karnataka's Kali Tiger Reserve with minimal human habitation.
• The total area proposed for notification as the tiger reserve is 468.6 sq km.

Detailed Insights:

• The Goa government previously argued that a tiger reserve was unnecessary due to the perceived lack of resident tigers.
• The High Court of Bombay at Goa directed the Goa government in July 2023 to notify a tiger reserve within three months, a decision challenged by the state in the Supreme Court.
• The proposed tiger reserve's core would consist of Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, with Bhagwan Mahavir National Park and the northern part of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary as the buffer zone.
• The CEC suggests a phased approach to minimize disturbance to local communities, excluding areas with higher population densities like the southern part of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in the initial phase.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Tiger Reserve: Designated area for tiger conservation under the Project Tiger initiative.
• Central Empowered Committee (CEC): A committee appointed by the Supreme Court to advise on environmental matters.
• Wildlife Sanctuary: A protected area primarily aimed at conserving wildlife.