Declare Goa sanctuaries as ‘tiger reserve’: Activists

News: Activists from Goa have demanded that certain areas in wildlife sanctuaries of the state be notified as ‘tiger reserve’.

Facts:

Background: In 2017, Goa government had sent a proposal to Centre, according to which 500 Sq.km area of Mhadei, Netravali and Cotigao sanctuaries and some part of Mahaveer National Park was to be declared as Tiger Reserve.

Protected areas in Goa

1.  Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary: It is located in the South Goa district.
2. Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary: is located in South Eastern Goa. Netravali is an important tributary of River Zuari, which originates in the sanctuary.
3.  Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary: It is located in the North Goa District. The Mhadei River (known as Mondovi River downstream) flows through the sanctuary. Vazra Sakla waterfalls is located in the sanctuary.
4. Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park: It is located in Goa along the eastern border with Karnataka. Dudhsagar Falls, on the Mandovi River, is located here.

Additional Information

Tiger Reserves:

• Tiger Reserves are protected areas that aim at conserving the habitat to ensure a viable population of the tigers along with their prey base in their habitat.
• They are established under the Project Tiger, launched in 1973.
• National Tiger Conservation Authority, established in 2005, oversees management of Project Tiger and Tiger Reserves in India.
• Jim Corbett in Uttarakhand is the first Tiger Reserve to be established under Project Tiger. At present, there are 50 tiger reserves in India.

Did You Know? Goa is the only state in India which has protected the complete Western Ghats’ section within a state.