The court found that the sanctuaries – destined for designation as a tiger reserve – are being compromised by tourism infrastructure creeping into fragile ecosystems.
In a landmark decision on September 10, 2025, the High Court of Goa ordered the state government to suspend all construction connected to eco-tourism in two of its most treasured wildlife sanctuaries, Mhadei and Bhagwan Mahaveer. The move threatens to undo plans that critics say have undercut conservation efforts and jeopardized the rights of forest-dwelling communities.
The court found that the sanctuaries – destined for designation as a tiger reserve – are being compromised by tourism infrastructure creeping into fragile ecosystems. The state had proposed expansive eco-tourism development in this area, which spans over 745 square kilometers. But the court was persuaded that these activities conflicted with the need to preserve habitat, protect wildlife, and safeguard local people’s livelihoods.
A Longstanding Tension
The legal challenge was initiated by civil society groups who argue that while conservation is necessary, it must be balanced with human rights and ecological integrity. In July 2023, a state court had already ruled in favour of declaring the area a tiger reserve, but full implementation has been stalled. The state government has raised concerns about how the reserve’s boundaries might impinge on lands used by forest dwellers and buffer-zones where local people carry out traditional activities.
Supreme Court intervention followed in early September 2025, directing the Goa government to maintain a status quo in the region. It also asked the Central Empowered Committee to provide a detailed report – within six weeks – on the steps being taken and the implications of designating this area as a tiger reserve.
Voices from the Ground
Environmentalists and activists welcomed the court’s ruling as essential. “It is significant to save tigers and wildlife in the area, which are in fact the lifeline for the forest dwellers and the people of Goa,” said Zeferino Fernandes, a green campaigner, highlighting the deep interdependence between local communities and the natural environment.
Norma Alvares of a local nonprofit noted that though the map for the tiger reserve has been drawn without including major human settlements, the government had nonetheless begun construction of what she described as “eco-tourism resorts” and electric fences in the sanctuaries. She called this a problematic step that undermines both conservation goals and community consent.
Activists assert that tourism interests have delayed the formal declaration of the tiger reserve for reasons tied to profit. As these developments proceeded, so did concerns over habitat loss, diversion of river waters, and unchecked deforestation.
Protecting Biodiversity and Water Security
A crucial facet of the ruling is its implications for biodiversity conservation. Tigers, as apex predators, require large, contiguous habitats and minimal human disturbance. Sanctuary areas, especially untouched ones like Mhadei and Bhagwan Mahaveer, are vital to maintain ecological balances.
Water too has emerged as a central concern. The river flowing through the sanctuaries serves as a source of drinking water and supports agriculture in Goa. Some proposals had even contemplated diverting water for external business interests – an idea activists say would have severe downstream consequences.
Legal Issues vs Administrative Delay
Legal filings raised two main allegations. First, that the eco-tourism project was being pushed ahead despite the tiger reserve not being formally declared. Second, that the process of declaring the reserve was being delayed, allegedly to accommodate certain development schemes.
The court’s order effectively freezes all construction in the contested areas, reinforcing the judiciary’s oversight role in safeguarding public interest. The mapping of the reserve – completed without including large human settlements – gave some reassurance, but the building of fences and facilities had raised alarms among environmentalists.
Paths Forward
With the Supreme Court’s directive now in place, attention turns to the forthcoming report from the Central Empowered Committee. Its findings will likely influence whether full tiger-reserve status is conferred and, if so, under what terms. Questions remain: How much of the current eco-tourism infrastructure will be dismantled? Will locals be adequately involved in decision-making? And can a sustainable balance be found between tourism, livelihoods, and wildlife protection?
For many in Goa, the ruling is more than a legal correctness – it’s a chance to affirm that conservation, community rights, and ecological integrity are not competing goods but need to be mutually reinforcing. The stakes are high: losing intact forest habitat, compromising tiger populations, and eroding the resources on which many of Goa’s forest dwellers depend. With so much at risk, the court’s decision has been greeted by relief – and resolve.
