Goa High Court Probes Railways Over Sanctuary Land Grab
Goa Foundation asserts that large portions of the sanctuary, The Bombay High Court has issued notices to South Western Railway (SWR) and the Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) over a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the alleged encroachment within Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa. The PIL, filed by environmental watchdog Goa Foundation, contends that land acquisition proceedings for the doubling of the Hosapete-Hubballi-Tinaighat-Vasco railway line continue despite the Supreme Court’s explicit revocation of such work within the protected area in 2022 in Kalay village, have been subjected to unauthorised alterations in land revenue records to facilitate railway expansion.
These actions, it argues, directly contravene the Wild Life (Protection) Act, which prohibits the establishment of property rights within notified sanctuaries. The petition questions the authority of SWR and DSLR in acquiring and modifying the status of lands within an ecologically sensitive region, calling the move a blatant disregard for both legal provisions and environmental safeguards.The PIL details two key mechanisms allegedly employed for this encroachment. The first revolves around land acquisition under the Railways Act, a move that the petition claims is being pursued unlawfully. The second concerns administrative changes in land revenue records in 2024, where a new survey number was reportedly created at Kalay in favour of SWR, encompassing not just the existing railway track but also vast stretches of surrounding land. This development has sparked fears of irreversible ecological damage, given the sanctuary’s status as a crucial biodiversity hotspot.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of heightened scrutiny over infrastructure projects that threaten protected forests and wildlife corridors. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary is a critical part of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO-listed biodiversity hotspot that supports a rich array of flora and fauna. Any disruption to this delicate ecosystem, conservationists warn, could have long-term ramifications for regional sustainability, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation.
Legal experts highlight the broader implications of this case, particularly in defining the extent of executive power in overriding environmental protections for infrastructural development. The Supreme Court’s 2022 ruling had drawn a clear line against railway expansion within the sanctuary, underscoring the primacy of ecological preservation over industrial expansion. That the land acquisition process has reportedly continued in defiance of this ruling raises serious concerns about governance, compliance, and accountability within state agencies.
The High Court has scheduled a hearing for March 4, where it will deliberate on the legality of the acquisition proceedings and potential violations of environmental law. The case is expected to set a crucial precedent in balancing development with ecological integrity, particularly as India navigates the complex interplay of economic growth and environmental responsibility. For now, conservationists and local communities await the court’s intervention to safeguard one of Goa’s most treasured natural habitats.
