Who is to be blamed for the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary not being declared a tiger reserve?

TNN | Dec 12, 2011, 05.42AM IST PANAJI: The Goa government is to be blamed for not taking necessary and timely steps for declaring the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary as a tiger reserve. The forest department for more than a decade has failed miserably in generating awareness to garner support for transforming this tiger habitat, known for the rich and varied biodiversity, into the Mhadei tiger reserve. The proposed tiger reserve will not only protect the big cat but will help in safeguarding the water resources for posterity in our land. It is some one with a mining interest that is trying to stop the department from declaring the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary it as a tiger reserve. They want to convert the place into a mining area. I have been to Vagheri for a trek and have taken photos of tiger pugmarks. Obviously, the state government and the forest department must be blamed for the Mhadei sanctuary not being declared as a tiger reserve in Goa. The present politicians are mining tycoons and sick politicians. The known fact is that maximum number of tigers are in Mhadei area and everybody knows it. However its surprising that the government is still unaware about the fact. I am all for declaring the Mhadei sanctuary as a tiger reserve. It is our duty to protect the tigers to prevent their extinction. The mining lobby is probably influencing the delay in declaring the sanctuary as a tiger reserve. Fr Alfred Vaz director, Diocesan catechetical centre, Old Goa http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/goa/Who-is-to-be-blamed-for-the-Mhadei-wildlife-sanctuary-not-being-declared-a-tiger-reserve/articleshow/11076917.cms