Supreme Court halts projects in Goa’s Mhadei-Kotigaon, orders status quo on proposed tiger reserve

The Supreme Court on Monday directed that no developmental activity or project be undertaken in the Mhadei-Kotigaon area of Goa, which had earlier been identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) as suitable for a tiger reserve [The State of Goa vs. The Goa Foundation & Ors].

A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justices K Vinod Chandran and Atul S Chandurkar ordered that status quo be maintained and asked the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to hear all stakeholders and submit its decision within six weeks.

The direction came in proceedings arising from a plea by the State of Goa and others challenging a Bombay High Court order. The High Court in July 2024 had asked the State to notify the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas as a tiger reserve within three months and to prepare a tiger conservation plan as required under the Wildlife Protection Act. The NTCA was directed to assist the State in completing the process and expeditiously process its conservation plan.

The High Court had also issued additional directions, requiring Goa to set up anti-poaching camps at strategic locations with guards and watchers within six months, and to ensure that no encroachments took place in protected forest areas during the process of notification or thereafter.

The Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, spread over 208 square kilometres in Goa’s northeastern belt adjoining Karnataka, has long been under consideration for elevated protection status. The Centre has told the Court that it had been urging Goa for several years to notify the sanctuary as a tiger reserve.