Mahabharat quotation “Tiger protects Forest and the Forest guards the Tiger” – invoked for Tiger Reserve in Goa
Judgment dated 24.7.2023 of the High Court of Bombay at Goa
“Tiger protects the Forest and the Forest guards the Tiger” – quotation from Mahabharat invoked for Tiger Reserves in Goa
PIL of Environmentalists through the Goa Foundation for notifying Mhadei Wild Life Sanctuary and continuous areas in Goa as “Tiger Reserve”. In January 2020, the petitioner and other environmentalists also pursued the issue after a tigress and her three cubs died from poisoning in the Mhadei WLS.
Although the Central Government and its Ministry had earlier recommended in 2011 for such a Tiger Reserve, the State of Goa did not notify the same for various reasons.
In the exhaustive judgment of 94 pages, the Hon’ble Court at Goa had invoked the quotation of Mahabharat for emphasising importance of Tiger Reserve and that Tiger plays a pivotal role in the health and diversity of ecosystem. Various salutary reports and statistics were amply quoted and referred to in the judgment. It is a top predator at the apex of the food chain. Tiger corridors are vital for the survival of together.
The High Court has directed the State Government of Goa to notify Tiger Reserve and gave other directions.
The Goa Foundation Vs. State of Goa and others – PIL Writ Petition No.15 of 2022
