Declare Goa sanctuaries as ‘tiger reserve’: Activist

Panaji: Activists and politicians from Goa have demanded that certain areas in wildlife sanctuaries of the state be notified as ‘tiger reserve’. The Goa government should follow up its proposal sent to the Centre in 2017 to notify certain areas of the coastal state as a tiger reserve, they say. The demand has come following the death of four tigers in Mahadayi Wildlife Sanctuary of Sattari Taluka in North Goa district in the last few days. As part of the state’s proposal, about 500 sq km area of Mahadayi, Netravali and Cotigao wildlife sanctuaries and some part of Mahaveer National Park was selected to be marked as ‘tiger reserve’, considering the presence of the striped animals in those places. Former forest minister of Goa Rajendra Arlekar said in 2017, the State Wildlife Board approved the proposal and it was sent to the Central Wildlife Board. “The state government should follow up the proposal so that there is proper protection and conservation of tigers in these areas,” the BJP leader said. (PTI)