Recent Recommendation in Goa
Tiger Reserves and Recent Recommendation in Goa: A Supreme Court appointed panel has suggested notifying a new tiger reserve in Goa. The recommendation proposes Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary as the core area. It also identifies Bhagwan Mahavir National Park, known for the Dudhsagar waterfall, as the buffer zone.
This landscape lies adjacent to the Kali Tiger Reserve of Karnataka, forming an important interstate wildlife corridor.
Understanding Tiger Reserves
Tiger reserves in India are designated under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. They aim to protect tigers, their prey, and the surrounding ecosystems.
Static GK fact: The first tiger reserve in India was Corbett Tiger Reserve, established in 1973 under Project Tiger.
Legal Framework
The State Governments notify tiger reserves based on advice from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). NTCA is a statutory body formed under the 2006 amendment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
The Minister of Environment and Forests serves as the Chairperson of NTCA.
Static GK Tip: NTCA was created after the Sariska tiger crisis (2004), where all tigers disappeared due to poaching.
Current Status of Tiger Reserves in India
India currently has 58 tiger reserves, with the most recent addition being Madhav Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh. These reserves span critical habitats across Central India, the Western Ghats, the Northeast, and the Himalayan foothills.
Tiger reserves follow a structure of core (inviolate habitat) and buffer (sustainable use area) zones.
Ecological Significance
Tiger reserves help maintain forest health, protect watersheds, and support biodiversity. They also act as carbon sinks, contributing to climate mitigation.
Static GK fact: India hosts over 75% of the global tiger population, making it a global leader in big cat conservation.
Goa’s Importance in Tiger Conservation
Goa’s forests form a part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for rich biodiversity. The proposed reserve enhances connectivity with Karnataka’s Kali Tiger Reserve, strengthening safe passage for wide-ranging species like tigers.
This can improve landscape-level conservation in the Western Ghats.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Tiger Reserves and Recent Recommendation in Goa:
| Topic | Detail |
| Panel Recommendation | Proposal to create a tiger reserve in Goa |
| Core Area | Cotigao and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuaries |
| Buffer Zone | Bhagwan Mahavir National Park |
| Adjacent Reserve | Kali Tiger Reserve (Karnataka) |
| Governing Law | Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 |
| Advisory Body | NTCA |
| NTCA Chairperson | Minister of Environment and Forests |
| Total Tiger Reserves | 58 in India |
| Latest Tiger Reserve | Madhav, Madhya Pradesh |
| Major Ecological Role | Habitat security, biodiversity, watershed protection |
