Central Idea

The Goa bench of the Bombay High Court issued directives to the Goa government, compelling the establishment of a tiger reserve within Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS).
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had identified Goa’s Cotigao-Mhadei forest complex, which encompasses several protected areas, as an ideal habitat for tigers.

About Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Location	Western Ghats, spanning Goa, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.
Establishment	Designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1999.
Area	Approximately 208.5 square kilometers.
Ecological Significance	Located within the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Sahyadri mountain range. Comprises various forest types and grasslands, supporting diverse flora and fauna.
Flora	Rich in plant species, including medicinal plants and endemic flora.
Fauna	Home to Tigers, Indian gaur, sambar deer, leopards, barking deer, wild boars, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
Conservation Importance	Crucial for conserving endangered species and maintaining biodiversity in the Western Ghats. Promotes genetic diversity through wildlife corridors.
Legal Dispute	Ongoing disagreement between Goa and Karnataka regarding Mhadei/Mahadayi (Mandowi) River water diversion, with concerns about its impact on the sanctuary’s ecology.