Context:
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The Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has advised the Goa government to establish a tiger reserve in a phased manner, balancing ecological imperatives with local livelihood concerns.
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The recommendation follows judicial and expert interventions aimed at strengthening tiger conservation and habitat connectivity in the Western Ghats landscape.
Key Highlights:
Judicial and Institutional Background
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In July 2023, the Bombay High Court directed Goa to notify five protected areas as a tiger reserve.
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The order stemmed from a petition following the poisoning deaths of tigers in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (2020).
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The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had already recommended the creation of a Goa tiger reserve in 2016.
CEC’s Phased Approach Recommendation
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The CEC proposed a phased notification to address socio-economic concerns.
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It suggested prioritising areas contiguous with Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve for the core zone, ensuring:
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Ecological connectivity
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Minimal displacement of local communities
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State Government’s Concerns and Contradictions
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The Goa government initially claimed that around 1 lakh people would be affected, later revising the figure to 5,000–6,000 residents.
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It argued that tigers in Goa are transient, a position that contradicted its earlier submissions before the Mhadei Water Disputes Tribunal, where it acknowledged a resident tiger population.
Local Community Concerns
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The CEC recognised apprehensions related to:
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Displacement
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Restrictions on forest use and livelihoods
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It emphasised that the government must engage communities, ensure voluntary relocation, and provide adequate compensation and livelihood alternatives.
Benefits of Declaring a Tiger Reserve
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Tiger reserve status brings:
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Enhanced central funding
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Improved monitoring, research, and protection
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Scientific management under Project Tiger
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Zonation within a Tiger Reserve
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Core Zone:
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Inviolate area for breeding and habitat protection
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Voluntary relocation of residents with rehabilitation packages
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Buffer Zone:
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Surrounds the core
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Allows regulated human activities to reduce pressure on the core
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Relevant Prelims Points:
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Advisory Body: Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court.
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Statutory Authority: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
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Region: Goa – Western Ghats landscape.
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Key Tiger Reserve Feature: Core and buffer zones.
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Impact: Increased funding and legal protection for tiger habitats.
Relevant Mains Points:
Environment & Ecology (GS III):
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Importance of habitat connectivity in tiger conservation.
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Western Ghats as a biodiversity hotspot.
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Addressing threats like poisoning and habitat fragmentation.
Governance (GS II):
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Role of judiciary and expert committees in environmental governance.
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Balancing conservation goals with social justice.
Social & Ethical Dimensions:
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Ensuring community participation, consent, and fair rehabilitation.
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Voluntary relocation as a rights-based conservation approach.
Way Forward:
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Adopt a phased and consultative approach to notification.
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Prioritise ecologically contiguous areas for core zones.
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Strengthen community-based conservation and benefit-sharing.
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Ensure transparency, compensation, and livelihood security.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
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GS II: Governance, role of judiciary, Centre–State coordination
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GS III: Environment & Ecology, wildlife conservation
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Prelims: Tiger reserves, NTCA, CEC, core and buffer zones