Why has Goa been asked to set up a tiger reserve?, Pg15

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has advised the Goa government to establish a tiger reserve in a phased manner.
• This recommendation follows a Bombay High Court directive in July 2023 to notify five protected areas as a tiger reserve.
• The Goa government initially resisted due to concerns about affecting approximately 1 lakh people, later revised to 5,000-6,000 individuals.
• The CEC suggests prioritizing areas contiguous to Karnataka's Kali Tiger Reserve for the core zone to minimize disturbance to local communities.

Detailed Insights:

• The Bombay High Court's order was prompted by a petition filed after the alleged poisoning deaths of tigers in the Mhadei Sanctuary in 2020.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had already recommended declaring these areas a tiger reserve in 2016.
• The Goa government argued that tigers in Goa were transient, contradicting their earlier submissions to the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal.
• The CEC report acknowledges apprehension among local dwellers regarding displacement and emphasizes the need for the government to address their concerns.
• Designating a region as a tiger reserve leads to increased funding for conservation and research, along with the demarcation of core and buffer zones.
• Core zones are intended to be inviolate, with voluntary relocation options for residents, while buffer zones allow for a broader range of human activities.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Tiger Reserve: Designated area for tiger conservation, receiving enhanced protection and funding.
• Core Zone: Inviolate area within a tiger reserve, aimed at preserving critical tiger habitat.
• Buffer Zone: Area surrounding the core zone, allowing for regulated human activities to minimize disturbance.