In a notable development on Wednesday, the Supreme Court declared a ban on tiger safaris within Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand.
The court’s directive specifies that tiger safaris will now be restricted to the peripheral and buffer zones surrounding the national park.
According to reports, this decision is part of the court’s broader initiative to protect the natural habitat of these majestic creatures and mitigate the potential impact of tourism on the core areas of the forest reserve.
While allowing the establishment of tiger safaris in the peripheral and buffer zones, the Supreme Court has imposed stringent conditions to ensure the protection of wildlife and the environment.
This decision aims to strike a delicate balance between promoting tourism and preserving the integrity of the fragile ecosystems within Jim Corbett National Park.
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At the same time, the court strongly criticized former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and then Divisional Forest Officer Kishan Chand for their participation in unlawful construction and tree felling activities at the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
This reprimand from the court highlights the seriousness of environmental harm resulting from such actions and underscores the importance of accountability in the protection of designated conservation areas.
Going beyond the prohibition of tiger safaris, the Supreme Court has delved into more extensive environmental issues within the Tiger reserve. The court has called for a detailed status report within three months, concentrating particularly on illegal construction and tree felling.
It expressed concern over a troubling connection between politicians and forest officials, asserting that this collaboration has resulted in substantial environmental deterioration for political and commercial interests.
The Supreme Court has assigned the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate these allegations and anticipates a comprehensive interim report detailing the progress made.
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Moreover, the court has indicated its intention to meticulously examine the notion of safaris within the Tiger Reserve. A committee appointed by the Supreme Court will assess this issue and implement essential conditions to achieve a equilibrium between ecological preservation and sustainable tourism.
The recent decision from the Supreme Court signifies a broader shift in wildlife conservation strategies. By rejecting the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s proposal for tiger safaris within national parks, the court reaffirms an ‘animal-centric’ perspective, giving precedence to the well-being of animals over tourism interests.
This decision aligns with the court’s earlier stance in January, where it expressed reservations about confining animals in cages at national parks and raised concerns about guidelines promoting tiger safaris in buffer and fringe areas of tiger reserves.
The court’s emphasis on preserving natural habitats and reducing the impact of human activities on wildlife indicates a progressive move towards a more sustainable and ecologically responsible approach to conservation.
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