Context:
- A Supreme Court-appointed committee has recommended the creation of a tiger reserve in Goa, but proposed a phased approach owing to human settlements and administrative challenges.
Key Highlights
- The proposed plan recommends:
- Phase 1: Notify 486.8 sq. km as the core area containing 102 households.
- Phase 2: Buffer area of 208 sq. km, containing 612 households, to be considered later depending on ground situation.
- The proposal covers areas adjoining the Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka, which has confirmed tiger presence.
- The committee suggested shifting some forest divisions from the Western Ghats jurisdiction to designated tiger reserve management.
- Goa government earlier resisted declaring tiger reserve status, citing no permanent tiger population, but the committee pointed to camera trap evidence and wildlife movements as proof of tiger use.
- Proposed tiger reserve would include:
- Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary
- Mollem National Park
- Parts of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary
Relevant Prelims Points
- Tiger Reserve Governance:
- Declared under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (amended 2006).
- Managed through National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
- Core vs Buffer Zones:
- Core zone: Strictly protected, no human activities except conservation.
- Buffer zone: Sustainable livelihood and eco-development activities allowed.
- Important Terms:
- Project Tiger (1973): Flagship programme to conserve tigers.
- Western Ghats: UNESCO World Heritage biodiversity hotspot.
- Goa Tiger Context:
- Recent camera trap evidence confirms tiger movement between Goa–Karnataka corridor.
Relevant Mains Points
➡ Significance of the Proposed Tiger Reserve
- Enhances protection of Western Ghats ecosystem—home to endangered flora and fauna.
- Strengthens ecological connectivity with adjacent tiger landscapes in Karnataka and Maharashtra.
➡ Social and Governance Challenges
- Over 700 households fall inside the proposed reserve boundaries.
- Resettlement, compensation, and forest rights recognition are key concerns.
- Need to balance tribal rights under FRA, 2006 with wildlife protection.
➡ Conservation Imperatives vs Development Pressures
- Goa faces pressures from mining, infrastructure, and tourism industries.
- Tiger reserve status may restrict extractive industries but boost eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation.
Way Forward
- Conduct stakeholder consultations, particularly with forest dwellers and panchayats.
- Implement phased eco-sensitive zone mapping, sustainable livelihood programmes, and resettlement packages where necessary.
- Strengthen wildlife corridors and anti-poaching systems through community-based conservation.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
| Paper | Topic |
| GS-III Environment | Wildlife conservation, NTCA, tiger reserves, Western Ghats |
| GS-II Governance | Center–State coordination, environmental decision-making |
| GS-I Geography | Biodiversity hotspots, protected area networks |
| Essay / Ethics | Conservation vs development, rights of indigenous communities |