Why in news?
- A Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended creating a Tiger Reserve in Goa in phases.
- This issue arose after:
- Bombay High Court (July 2023) ordered Goa to notify five protected areas as a Tiger Reserve.
- Goa challenged this HC order in the Supreme Court.
High Court’s directive (2023)
The HC ordered Goa to:
- Notify Mhadei WLS + 4 other sanctuaries as a tiger reserve within 3 months.
- Prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan.
- Settle rights of Scheduled Tribes & forest dwellers under FRA, 2006.
Trigger
- January 2020: 1 tigress + 3 cubs poisoned in Mhadei.
- NTCA (2016): Already recommended declaring a Tiger Reserve.
2. Why is Goa resisting?
The Goa government argued:
Claim 1: “Over 1 lakh people will be displaced.”
→ But its own affidavit later admitted:
- Only 1,274 households across 33 villages, i.e., 5,000–6,000 people.
Claim 2: “Goa has no resident tigers, only transient ones.”
→ Internally, government documents contradict this.
→ Tiger movement between Goa–Karnataka–Maharashtra is scientifically documented.
3. What did the CEC find?
The CEC conducted:
- Field visits
- Meetings with villagers, forest officials, NGOs
Key observations
- Forest dwellers fear forced displacement.
- The State must allay these fears through proper communication.
- A phased tiger reserve will minimize disruption.
4. CEC’s Proposed Structure of the Goa Tiger Reserve
Phase 1: Core Area (Least human presence + contiguous with Kali Tiger Reserve of Northern Karnataka)
Core:
- Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
- 50 households
- Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary
- 41 households
➡ Combined: 296.7 sq km
- 41 households
Phase 1: Buffer Area
- Northern part of Bhagwan Mahavir WLS (9 households)
- Bhagwan Mahavir National Park (2 households)
➡ Combined: 171 sq km
Total Area in Phase-1
→ 468.6 sq km
This area is fully contiguous with:
- Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve (1,345 sq km)
- Together: Integrated landscape: 1,814 sq km
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (208 sq km)
- Contains 612 households – largest human presence.
- Shares limited boundary with Kali reserve.
- To be included later, after consultations.
5. Why are Tiger Reserves important?
Tiger Reserve = Core Zone + Buffer Zone
Core Zone
- “Inviolate” (no human habitation ideally)
- Strict protection
- People cannot be forced to leave
- Only voluntary relocation
- Based on FRA 2006 rights, compensation
Buffer Zone
- Human activity allowed
- Eco-development, sustainable practices
- Acts as “shield” to core
Benefits of Tiger Reserves
- Enhances movement corridors
- Improves landscape-level conservation
- Brings more central funding from NTCA
- Supports habitat for elephants, leopards, gaur, biodiversity
6. Why is contiguity with Kali Tiger Reserve important?
Landscape connectivity
- Tigers need large territories (60–100 sq km per male).
- Goa forests link:
- Kali Tiger Reserve (Karnataka)
- Bhimgad WLS (Karnataka)
- Radhanagari WLS (Maharashtra)
- A continuous landscape ensures:
- Genetic diversity
- Avoidance of inbreeding
- Safe movement
7. Key Concepts
Central Empowered Committee (CEC)
- Set up by Supreme Court (2002)
- Advises SC on:
- Forest conservation
- Environmental violations
- Wildlife management
Tiger Reserve Declaration
Under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Section 38V):
- State notifies tiger reserve
- NTCA approves Tiger Conservation Plan
- No alteration of boundaries without NTCA + Parliament approval
Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
- Recognises rights of forest dwellers on land & forest produce
- No relocation without:
- Consent of Gram Sabha
- Compensation package
Practice MCQs
With reference to Tiger Reserves in India, consider the following statements:
- The declaration of a Tiger Reserve by a State Government requires prior approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- No modification of the boundaries of a Tiger Reserve can be made without the approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the National Board for Wildlife.
- Core zones of Tiger Reserves must be completely free of human habitation by law.
Which of the above statements are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
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