View this post on the web at https://gerardsgazette.substack.com/p/a-tiger-reserve-for-goa
I’m back after an enforced absence. Since then, the 56th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) started [ https://substack.com/redirect/72d96de5-0f0e-4a9b-805d-3b671ab2b468?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] and concluded [ https://substack.com/redirect/fe98e918-1309-4cbf-8e80-0c4ed6a8043d?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ], Kamasutra and Christmas [ https://substack.com/redirect/12390633-075e-4469-9db1-2229186239c5?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] an event that allegedly involved explicitly sexual content being organised in Goa around the time of Christmas by the Osho Rajnish Foundation, was cancelled after an uproar [ https://substack.com/redirect/40b28b8b-f66b-44db-84f4-9006ab6637c1?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ], and the Prime Minister was here to unveil a 77-metre tall statue of Lord Ram [ https://substack.com/redirect/21898775-1f3e-4df7-ac18-ffcf7155026b?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ], at the Partagali Matth in Canacona, where he claimed that India was currently undergoing a cultural renaissance. There were a lot of problematic statements made at the event, but I think I’ll leave that discussion for another day. Welcome to yet another edition of Gerard’s Gazette, a weekly newsletter in which I attempt to break down the events of the week gone by and offer a bit of context, as well as a dose of news you may have missed and news behind the news. If this is your first time here, thank you for signing up, and I hope you stick around! And, as always, if you like what you are reading, make sure you pass it around. Thanks for reading GERARD’s Gazette! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Let’s start with some positive news. And I say ‘positive’ with a heapful of caution because even though something is better than nothing, even that ‘something’ comes with a few caveats. I say this because, there was a time when you could more or less rely on courts to do the right thing, especially when it came to environmental issues. That’s not true anymore. After having overturned its own order and allowed retrospective Environmental Clearances [ https://substack.com/redirect/d4982bfb-5fc9-4bc4-9d63-1be37253b84a?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ], the Supreme Court has now gone ahead and accepted a government definition of Aravallis [ https://substack.com/redirect/0dfc56c2-adfe-4c7e-83ce-798e293a9188?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] that allegedly will leave 90% of the mountain range that protects much of north India from the dust of the Thar desert, out of the definition [ https://substack.com/redirect/99725f40-8ebe-4ce4-a575-df22dcc1db5a?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] and therefore without any protection. And then the Chief Justice of India has the nerve to lament that Delhi’s deteriorated air quality [ https://substack.com/redirect/bc90171d-5e96-4fbf-a7ae-cfe11b0b087b?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] is not easily fixable. But anyways, I digress. Back to the point. A Tiger Reserve for Goa Earlier this week, the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee that was tasked “examining the issue” and submitting a report, submitted its report, a copy of which [ https://substack.com/redirect/acb3c661-a9f1-42f1-b2ea-706a443eef30?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] was circulated to parties before the Court and via the Goa Foundation, to the media. In effect, the committee has recommended the notification of a Tiger Reserve in Goa [ https://substack.com/redirect/3cbf1cca-0290-4230-8fbd-142f0e90e4b6?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] -- and in doing so nixed the Goa government’s claim that declaring a Tiger Reserve in Goa would “neither serve any purpose nor was feasible in view of the small size of the protected area and the large population residing in and around them.” [ https://substack.com/redirect/926c7063-3e09-4442-aa8b-375d3b344969?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] What the CEC has recommended is that the Tiger Reserve be implemented in two phases -- the first phase involving around 468.6 sq km of the Cotigao and Netravali Wildlife Sanctuaries, which are contiguous with the Kali Tiger Reserve in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district to be notified as a core area, while the Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary of 64.9 sq km and Bhagwan Mahavir National Park of 107sq km as buffer area of the proposed tiger reserve. But crucially, and somewhat paradoxically the CEC also recommended that “protected areas with significantly higher numbers of households, such as the southern part of Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary (approximately 560 households) and Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (approximately 612 households), shall not be included in the first phase of the Goa Tiger Reserve.” Now, while there were reports that said the report was silent on the Mhadeil Wildlife Sanctuary, it appears, at least to me, that the sentence above, presumably refers to the entire Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary to be included in the second phase, since there’s nothing to indicate only a part is to be excluded. The reasoning behind this was also offered in the report. Essentially, the CEC noted that the Kali Tiger Reserve (formerly known as the Anshi Dandeli Tiger Reserve) located in Uttara Kannada (Karwar) district of Karnataka, is “presently functions as the primary source population in the region, and has, in recent years, produced dispersing tigers that are recolonising forest areas in Goa and parts of northern Karnataka.” Protection and conservation of the contiguous and adjoining forests in Goa would, therefore, strengthen the source-sink dynamics that are essential for natural dispersal and recolonisation... facilitating gene flow and enhancing the prospects of demographic support and genetic exchange, particularly as prey densities improve in the Sahayadri-Sindhudurg and Goa landscape blocks, according to the CEC report. As regards the reason why it choose to go for a phased implementation, the CEC noted that “the cooperation and confidence of local communities are essential for the success of any conservation initiative, it is considered appropriate that, in the first instance, focussed efforts be undertaken towards awareness-building, confidence generation and transparent communication with the affected population before further steps are taken in relation to the proposal.” The implications So what does this all mean? Well, for now, it’s just that -- that the report has been submitted to the Court, circulated to parties before the Court and is expected to be taken up the next time the matter comes up for hearing, which could be on December 15. Until then, the status quo, as mandated by the Supreme Court, continues. Telling you all this, however, still leaves many unanswered questions with everyone keen to know what exactly happened behind the scenes to ensure that the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary is excluded in the first phase (and possibly forever) of Goa’s tiger reserve. Afterall, it was the killing of four tigers in Mhadei in 2020 [ https://substack.com/redirect/b21da2c1-5373-4206-ba58-d1b7f469e32f?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] that brought the whole issue to the forefront in the first place [ https://substack.com/redirect/7577ff08-b5f1-46f8-b2e9-aa3aa7aa2480?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]. It is also where tigers are most commonly spotted in Goa (though that could be because human habitation and presence ensures sightings are ‘recorded.’ Such questions are not entirely misplaced. For one, it sets a precedent that if pressure from certain ministers and MLAs can get their constituencies excluded from what would otherwise have been a continuous corridor of 745 sq kms, then why were such ‘benefits’ not extended to Subhash Phaldessai, who represents the Sanguem constituency and who, said he was willing to die (no, actually he said he was ready to go to jail) [ https://substack.com/redirect/1e224ad2-30a7-4cd3-b29e-1bd50023e53b?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] to ensure that there would be no tiger reserve in his parts. What happened behind closed doors But the real reason could be somewhat more sinister. You see, it was barely recorded in the media, but the CEC made two visits to Goa. The first was well publicised and delegations from both sides met the CEC and tabled their submissions. But the second, was less publicised and the only way you will have heard of it was via South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes, who called for an inquiry into the alleged private meeting between one of the members of the CEC and a minister (no prizes for guessing who) over breakfast. [ https://substack.com/redirect/c79617c3-497e-4632-9f84-c87922fa78d8?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] Was the exclusion of the Mhadei Reserve (from the first phase) a result of the said private breakfast meeting? If so, then what does it say about the integrity of the CEC, as well as the importance (or lack thereof) to other BJP MLAs and ministers who made similar demands but whose demands were not accepted? Will they not claim parity as a result of the said exception for Mhadei? All eyes on the Supreme Court now where the matter now lies. What’s no longer up for debate, though, is whether Goa needs a tiger reserve or not. That question has been conclusively answered. Whether Goa actually gets one, that remains to be seen. Calangute-Candolim ODP: A new loophole? The second story this week is also deeply sinister. It is something you I should have mentioned in last week’s edition of my newsletter, but given that I didn’t write one, it is something I need to highlight nonetheless. As you may be aware, the Bombay High Court at Goa had quashed and set aside the ODP for the Calangute and Candolim Outline Development Plans. The Goa government, as you already also know, challenged the decision of the High Court in the Supreme Court, which has, however, not granted any interim relief and ordered that status quo be maintained. However, if this report from TOI, dated November 17, 2025 [ https://substack.com/redirect/d838162e-c428-4151-9998-3e074817b4b4?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] is to be believed, the TCP has decided to go ahead and grant zoning certificates to lands if they are zoned as settlement in the Regional Plan. The justification for this, is quite simply, that since the HC ruled that when the ODP is quashed and set aside, the zoning as per the Regional Plan would apply, issuing zoning certificates as per the Regional Plan should not be a problem. But here’s the catch. When the HC passed its order, it was generally assumed that the Regional Plan was by and large static and zoning could not be arbitrarily changed via things like section 39A of the TCP Act. Lo and behold. If your ‘settlement’ under the Calangute Candolim ODP was blocked as a result of the HC and SC orders, you can simply get it done with a change to the Regional Plan via section 39A and get a certificate from the TCP department via this latest notification claiming it is zoned as ‘settlement’ in the ‘Regional Plan.’ I’d be very surprised if and when any conversions under section 39A for the areas of Calangute and Candolim are processed, they are not promptly challenged before the Supreme Court or HC for violation of the ordered ‘status quo.’ DLF -- waiting for the right time One of the country’s biggest real estate developers is back in the news. This time because the Supreme Court issued an interim order, directing them to not fell any trees at their plot in Dabolim [ https://substack.com/redirect/ded2e021-a42c-4b9f-ba16-67f16ed6e9b6?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ]. This plot in question is similar to the controversial Bhutani project -- it is on a slope that is likely above the permissible gradient thereby making it a ‘no development slope’, besides it was earlier marked as a ‘private forest’ and as such, no development permissions should have been attempted, much less issued. But as things stand, the reason why the Goa Foundation is before the Supreme Court is because the National Green Tribunal rejected a plea and sided with the Goa government, whose review committee undid what the Thomas and Araujo committees had done and said that the plot didn’t qualify as a private forest. The Bhutani plot that was also identified as a private forest was similarly removed. That’s a whole story in itself. The DLF project is a project for 700 luxury flats -- though this could change -- just as they have now changed plans for the Reis Magos hillside and submitted a fresh application for permission, this time reducing the number of luxury units they want to build. But what you should know is that the Dabolim project is one they have been attempting since 2010. Talk about being persistent. Back then, after a PIL was filed in the Bombay High Court, the Ministry of Environment and Forests kept the Environmental Clearance in abeyance and DLF informed buyers that they were abandoning plans and even returned money to those who had bought plots. [ https://substack.com/redirect/22c7b6e6-5db6-4fa6-a04e-6285730fb4f7?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ] Let’s be real. When DLF withdrew its application for the Reis Magos development project [ https://substack.com/redirect/0a29e7fe-a904-4c15-8ed4-93ede152793f?j=eyJ1IjoiMTdkMzMzIn0.fgOj6myyAgvFoWmj-LgXwMrpDLUf7f7HnFNWVfgXm9c ], it was always expected that it would be back with a fresh application. They weren’t just going to walk away. And they can afford to wait. Which says a lot about Goa’s real estate market in general -- demand may have cooled (as people have realised that buying a second home and listing it on AirBnB wasn’t bringing in the returns they had hoped) but prices haven’t fallen -- the sellers can afford to wait. ZP polls The State Election Commission (for those who do not know, is different from the Election Commission of India, and mainly concerns itself with organising panchayat and municipality elections) this week announced that the ZP polls this year will be held on December 20 and the counting on December 22, two days before Christmas. Plainly speaking, these elections don’t mean much, but there is keen interest especially given that they come a year before the General Assembly Elections, and help political parties, and the people to gauge the electoral efficiency of the candidates they have selected. This time round, the opposition parties (minus the AAP) are trying to work out an alliance -- it’s unclear at this time -- both to us and to them -- as to how this will work out. Hence the attention. That’s all I have for you this week. Make sure you comment or write in, should you have something, anything to say. I would also invite you to contribute via sending in your views, especially on a subject you know something about, and I will be happy to include it as part of the newsletter. You are also welcome to write in with leads and tip-offs or anything that you think might be interesting enough to include here. As always, please share and help spread the word. Until next week, then. Tchau! 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