In a significant development, the Supreme Court, on Wednesday, announced a ban on tiger safaris within Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park. The apex court’s order specified that tiger safaris would now only be permitted in the peripheral and buffer zones surrounding the national park.
If reports are to go by, this decision is part of the court’s broader effort to safeguard the natural habitat of these majestic creatures and mitigate the potential impact of tourism on the core areas of the forest reserve.
The Supreme Court, while allowing the establishment of tiger safaris in the peripheral and buffer zones, has imposed stringent conditions to ensure the protection of wildlife and the environment. The move is to ensure a delicate balance between promoting tourism and preserving the integrity of the sensitive ecosystems within the Jim Corbett National Park.
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Simultaneously, the court expressed strong disapproval of former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and then divisional forest officer Kishan Chand for their involvement in illegal construction and tree felling activities at the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The court’s rebuke underscores the gravity of environmental damage caused by such actions and emphasises the need for accountability in safeguarding protected areas.
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The Supreme Court’s intervention extends beyond the ban on tiger safaris, addressing broader environmental concerns within the Tiger reserve. The court has demanded a comprehensive status report within three months, specifically focusing on illegal construction and tree felling. In its remarks, the court highlighted a troubling nexus between politicians and forest officials, emphasising that this alliance has led to severe environmental degradation for political and commercial gains.
The Supreme Court has entrusted the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the task of investigating these allegations and expects a detailed interim report on the progress made.
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Additionally, the court has signalled its intent to carefully scrutinise the concept of safari within the Tiger Reserve. A committee appointed by the Supreme Court will evaluate this matter and impose necessary conditions to strike a balance between ecological conservation and responsible tourism.
This recent decision by the Supreme Court also reflects a broader shift in wildlife conservation approaches. Dismissing the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s proposal for tiger safaris within national parks, the court reaffirms an ‘animal-centric’ perspective, prioritising the well-being of animals over tourism interests.
This move aligns with the court’s earlier stance in January, where it expressed reservations about keeping 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 minimising the impact of human activities on wildlife signifies a progressive step towards a more sustainable and ecologically responsible approach to conservation.
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