High Court of Bombay at Goa on Monday directed the State
government to notify the Mhadei Wildlife 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 Wildlife Protection Act (WLPA) within
three months from the date of the order. However, within no time, Forest
Minister Vishwajit Rane has said that the State government will explore all
options for vacating the High Court order directing Goa to declare Mhadei
Wildlife Sanctuary and peripheral areas as tiger reserve, before approaching
the Supreme Court.
On Tuesday, Team Herald spoke to different MLA’s especially from
the ruling party to know their views on this order and if they are in support
of the tiger reserve.
When questioned, Margao MLA Digambar Kamat on the HC order on
tiger Reserve, he said only replied saying “Don't ask me, ask the government”.
However, Nuvem MLA Alexio Sequeira said that “People are not in
favour of the tiger reserve." He
added that along with the tiger reserve there comes a lot of restrictions and
these restrictions are going to affect large sections of society. After
collecting all the facts, government will take a call on what to do.
BJP Poriem MLA Dr Deviya Rane questioned “We have to save Tiger
and Mhadei, but who will save thousands of people.” Wherein there is no doubt
that we should save tigers and Mhadei, but “who will save those thousands of
people.”
She also said that the notification of Tiger Reserve will affect
thousands of people living in this sanctuary. Speaking on the Mhadei water
diversion issue, she said that the State Government will save Mhadei through
other methods.
Navelim MLA Ulas Tuenkar only said "I am happy with the
decision made by the chief minister and the forest department."
Leader of Opposition, Yuri Alemao said that if required people
from Mhadei wildlife sanctuary should be rehabilitated. He added the Judgment
has shown that Tiger is back. As an opposition, we will all fight and oppose whatever
steps that are not in the interests of Goa and if required, we will have to
rehabilitate the people.