Human-animal conflicts rise as state drags its feet

Goa govt has sought an extension to declare forest dwellers’ rights inside the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary while facing a contempt petition in the high court of Bombay at Goa regarding the sanctuary’s declaration as a tiger reserve. Govt’s request came last July as the process of settling forest rights claims remains incomplete.

Advocate general Devidas Pangam stated that the process “has reached some considerable stage but hasn’t been completed,” justifying the need for an extension.

A senior forest officer, speaking anonymously, revealed that the process is far from complete. “Presently, we are overburdened with numerous claims by the families dwelling in the Mhadei sanctuary and other sanctuaries, wherein forest right claims have been made even for the richly forested areas. The forest settlement officer appointed by govt has been pressuring us to settle the claims as early as possible and in some cases even overruling our rightful objections, which is very painful.”

The Wildlife Management Plan 2024-25 to 2033-34 has identified several threats to wildlife in the Mhadei sanctuary, including habitat destruction, illegal tree felling, cultivation within the sanctuary, livestock grazing, forest fires, and poaching.

Arnold Noronha, a wildlifer from Assonora, said, “Presently, the forest department has not taken sincere steps to curtail threats posed to wildlife in the areas. Instead, eco-tourism activities have been allowed inside the sanctuary. Human-wildlife conflict has also intensified.”

Ecologists are concerned about increasing human-wildlife conflicts due to expanding horticultural activities by forest residents. Geerish Bailudkar, the range forest officer of the Mhadei Wildlife sanctuary, said, “Our forest staff has been given instructions to be vigilant for the protection and conservation of tigers.”