Why is it in News?
- A Supreme Court–appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended the creation of a Goa Tiger Reserve in phases.
- The report arises from the Goa government’s challenge to a Bombay High Court (July 2023) directive ordering the notification of five protected areas as a tiger reserve within 3 months.
- The SC will now consider the CEC report in the next hearing.
- The case involves conflicting claims by the Goa government on:
- Human population inside sanctuaries
- Whether Goa has “resident” tigers or only “transient” individuals
- The CEC recommends linking Goa’s sanctuaries with Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve, forming a 1,814 sq. km integrated landscape.
Relevance
GS-III: Environment & Ecology
- Tiger conservation
- Wildlife Protection Act
- NTCA powers
- Human–wildlife conflict
- Western Ghats ecology
GS-I: Geography
- Western Ghats biodiversity
- Protected area management
What is a Tiger Reserve?
- Legal basis: Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Sec. 38V).
- Components:
- Core area: Inviolate, highest protection, minimal human pressure.
- Buffer area: Lower protection, regulated human use.
- Declared on recommendation of NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority).
- Objective:
- Secure tiger populations
- Protect prey base & habitat
- Maintain contiguous corridors across states
Background of the Case
High Court Order (2023)
- Directed Goa to notify five protected areas as a tiger reserve:
- Mhadei WLS
- Bhagwan Mahavir WLS
- Bhagwan Mahavir NP
- Netravali WLS
- Cotigao WLS
Goa Government’s Objections
- Initially claimed 1 lakh people would be affected; later admitted only:
- 1,274 households
- 33 villages
- 5,000–6,000 individuals
- Claimed Goa has no resident tiger population, only “transient” individuals.
- Earlier affidavits contradicted this — reported by The Hindu.
CEC’s Intervention
- Asked by SC to examine scientific, ecological and socio-economic implications.
- Recommended a phased, minimal-displacement approach.
CEC Recommendations — Phased Tiger Reserve for Goa
A. Phase 1: Core + Buffer from Low-Human Habitation Areas
Core Zone (296.7 sq. km)
- Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
- 50 households
- Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
- 41 households
- Reason:
- Directly contiguous with Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve core
- Lowest human presence
- Critical landscape for tiger movement
Buffer Zone (171 sq. km)
- Areas contiguous with Kali TR’s buffer:
- Northern part of Bhagwan Mahavir WLS (9 households)
- Bhagwan Mahavir NP (2 households)
Total Phase-1 Area
- 468.60 sq. km
Connectivity Advantage
- Fully contiguous with Kali Tiger Reserve (1,345 sq. km)
- Combined protected landscape: ~1,814 sq. km
B. Phase 2: Consider Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary Later
- Mhadei WLS:
- 208 sq. km
- 612 households
- Only a limited boundary touches Kali TR buffer
- To be included after extensive consultations due to:
- Higher human habitation
- Complex socio-economic implications
Why Phased Implementation?
- Minimise displacement and livelihood disruption.
- Address socio-political resistance in Goa.
- Secure ecologically critical areas first.
- Ensure tiger corridor continuity with Karnataka.
- Build local trust before expanding the reserve.
Ecological Significance
A. The Goa–Karnataka Western Ghats Tiger Landscape
- One of India’s most biodiverse tiger corridors.
- Adjacent Kali Tiger Reserve has:
- Stable resident tigers
- Breeding females
- Rich prey base
B. Why Tigers in Goa Matter
- Presence of tigers proven by:
- Camera traps
- Scat analysis
- Occasional sightings
- Ensures genetic flow from Karnataka to Goa forests.
- Protecting Goa’s forests helps:
- Freshwater security
- Climate regulation
- Biodiversity stability
Governance and Legal Context
Key Institutions
- Supreme Court
- NTCA
- State Forest Department
- CEC (Supreme Court panel)
Legal Precedents
- SC has repeatedly ruled that:
- Core tiger habitats must remain inviolate
- States must prioritise biodiversity over unverified human-impact claims
Federal Dynamics
- Inter-state conservation challenges (Goa–Karnataka).
- Need for collaborative ecological governance across Western Ghats.
Governance Concerns Raised
- Goa govt submitted contradictory affidavits on presence of resident tigers.
- Inflated displacement numbers weakened credibility.
- CEC report implies:
- Political reluctance
- Administrative inconsistency
- Possible resistance due to mining/lobby interests
- High Court order forced accountability.
Implications for Goa
Positive
- Boost to tiger conservation
- Strengthening eco-tourism
- Forest protection from mining & encroachment
- Improved scientific monitoring
Challenges
- Community rehabilitation
- Human-wildlife conflict management
- Funding requirements
- Need for transparent community engagement
