One tiger does not merit a tiger reserve in Goa: Parrikar

The presence of one tiger in Goa's forests is not reason enough for immediately setting up a tiger reserve in the state, Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said Tuesday.

"One swallow does not make a summer. Until now only one tiger has been found. That is not reason enough. I have asked them to study it," Parrikar told reporters at a press briefing at the state secretariat.

Green activists and forest officials in Goa were euphoric after the presence of a tiger was formally recorded some months back.

The officially-recorded presence of a royal Bengal tiger at the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary, 60 km from here, has always been a contentious issue with the green activists alleging that the state government was reluctant to admit to its presence because a tiger reserve could potentially be a red flag for the powerful mining industry, whose operations ring Goa's forest belt.

Parrikar has now accused wildlife activists of creating hatred for wildlife by blocking economic activity.

"If you are using wildlife to block economy, you create enemies of wildlife," he maintained.