Digital Goa, July 24 – High Court today directed the State Government to notify the Mhadei Wild Life Sanctuary and other areas referred to in National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)’s communications as a tiger reserve under Section 38-V (1) of the Wild Life Protection Act(WLPA) within three months from today. The court also directed the State Government to take all steps to prepare a tiger conservation plan as contemplated by
Section 38-V (3) of the WLPA and to forward the same to the NTCA within three months from notifying the Mhadei WLS and other areas as a tiger reserve. HC has directed the NTCA to render full assistance to the State Government for completing the process and after that to expeditiously process the State Government’s Tiger Conservation Plan and take a decision thereon within three months of receiving the tiger conservation plan from the State Government. High Court has also directed the State Government to set up antipoaching camps at strategic locations to be staffed by forest guards, watchers, etc., in the Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks in the State of Goa within six months. “We direct the State Government and the Forest Department authorities to take emergent steps to ensure that there are no encroachments in the protected forest areas like WLS and National Parks pending notification of the tiger reserve, and even after that” the order adds.
▪️ Settle Forest Rights and claims of ST and Forest dwellers within a year: HC
In addition to this State Government has been asked to determine and settle the rights and claims of the Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers following the law as expeditiously as possible and preferably within 12 months from today.
