NT Reporter
Panaji
In light of the Supreme Court’s September 8 order directing maintenance of status quo in areas marked for the proposed tiger reserve, the High Court of Bombay at Goa has directed related petitions to be re-listed beyond the Diwali vacation.
The court also clarified that if the state wishes to undertake any activity, it is at
liberty to approach the apex court by filing an appropriate application.
In view of the SC order, the additional government advocate submitted to the High Court that the work order issued on June 26 for the construction of 10 hut structures at Aranyak Campsite, Collem, was already halfway complete and sought permission to finish it.
However, the High Court disagreed. “We do not agree with the submission of the additional government advocate, as we find that it is upon the Special Leave to Appeal filed by the Goa government, the state is directed to maintain the status quo in respect of the areas which are directed to be notified as a tiger reserve by the High Court. If at all the state government is desirous of undertaking any activities, it is at liberty to approach the apex court by filing an appropriate application,” it said.
The SC has stayed all developments in the notified areas and referred the matter to the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) for a report within two weeks. It will hear the matter again in six weeks.
, after hearing parties including the petitioner and the government on the CEC report.
