Lok Sabha Question No. 2580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-09
Subject: Projects approved inside Goa's Protected Areas
Ministry: ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2580

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026

## Projects approved inside Goa's Protected Areas

## 2580. SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

Will the Minister of ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  projects  approved  inside  the  Goa's protected  areas  are  in  persistent  violations  leading  to  ecologically  damaging intrusions;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  State  Government  has  approved  / pushing for an Rs. 8 crore luxury tourism project in Surla, inside the proposed tiger reserve's core zone, and a similar project in Mollem Wildlife Sanctuary;
- (c) if so, the response of the Government thereto;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  South  Western  Railway  (SWR) continues promoting a second railway line through Mollem and is also unloading imported mineral ore within the sanctuary, if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
- (e) whether the Government has undertaken any study regarding Karnataka's push to divert  Mhadei  river  water  which  poses  a  major  ecological  threat  to  Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF  STATE  IN  THE  MINISTRY  OF  ENVIRONMENT,  FOREST  AND CLIMATE CHANGE (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

- (a) to (e) The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change considers proposals involving  Protected  Areas  strictly  in  accordance  with  the  provisions  of  the Wildlife  (Protection)  Act,  1972.  The  proposals  for  developmental  activities within National Parks, Sanctuaries, Tiger Reserves, Tiger Corridors and those activities requiring environmental clearance inside Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZ) around National Parks and Sanctuaries are considered and recommended by the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life depending upon the feasibility of the proposal.

The proposals are forwarded to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for placing before the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life after thorough scrutiny by the State/Union Territory Governments/Administrators and the State Board for Wild Life headed by the respective  Chief  Ministers/Administrators.  The  Standing  Committee  of  the National Board  for Wild  Life, which  also includes eminent  ecologists, conservationists and environmentalists, takes informed decisions on the proposals placed for its consideration.

As informed by the Goa State Government, there is no luxury project approved in  Surla.  However, an ecotourism project in Surla falling in Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary  and  Mahaveer  National  Park  for  construction  of  walkways,  paths, eco-camp  etc.  for  development  of  Eco-Camps  at  Surla,  North  Goa  was recommended in the 77th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SCNBWL)  held on 30 January 2024 based on recommendations  of  National  Tiger  Conservation  Authority  (NTCA)  with conditions for undertaking activities as per prescriptions of approved Management Plan for Mahaveer National Park.

A Proposal for use of 0.7616 ha of forest area from Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary for permission to handle ore at Kalem Railway Station, South Goa Distt. in favor of Ministry of Railways was recommended in the 87th meeting of  the  Standing  Committee  of  the  National  Board  for  Wild  Life  held  on  09 December, 2025. As informed by the Goa State Government, the proposal for double landing work of its existing track by the South Western Railway is under examination by the State Government.

Further, there is no study conducted by this Ministry on ecological threats of diversion of Mhadei river water.

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