The court also paid special attention to the illegal construction and felling of trees in the reserve
In an important development, the Supreme Court on Wednesday announced a ban on tiger safaris in the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. The Supreme Court’s ruling indicated that tiger safaris would now be allowed only in the peripheral and buffer zones surrounding the national park.
This decision is part of the court’s broader efforts to protect the natural habitat of these majestic creatures and mitigate the potential impact of tourism on the main areas of the forest reserve.
By allowing the organization of tiger safaris in peripheral and buffer zones, the Supreme Court imposed strict conditions for the protection of wildlife and the environment. This decision is aimed at ensuring a careful balance between tourism development and preserving the integrity of the fragile ecosystems of Jim Corbett National Park.At the same time, the court expressed strong disapproval to the former Minister of Forestry of Uttarakhand, Harak Singh Rawat, and then the officer of the Forestry department, Kishan Chandu, for their participation in the illegal construction and felling of trees in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The court’s rebuke underlines the seriousness of the environmental damage caused by such actions and the need for responsibility for the protection of protected areas.The Supreme Court’s intervention goes beyond the ban on tiger safaris and addresses broader environmental issues in the tiger reserve. The court demanded to provide a detailed report on the status of the case within three months, paying special attention to illegal construction and felling of trees. In its remarks, the court highlighted the disturbing link between politicians and forestry officials, stressing that this alliance had led to serious environmental degradation for political and commercial benefits.The Supreme Court has instructed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate these allegations and is awaiting a detailed interim progress report.In addition, the court announced its intention to carefully study the concept of safari in the Tiger Reserve. A committee appointed by the Supreme Court will consider this issue and create the necessary conditions to achieve a balance between environmental conservation and responsible tourism.This recent Supreme Court decision also reflects a broader shift in approaches to wildlife conservation. By rejecting the proposal of the National Tiger Conservation Authority for tiger safaris in national parks, the court reaffirms the “animal-oriented” point of view, giving priority to animal welfare over the interests of tourism.The move is consistent with the court’s earlier position in January, when it expressed doubts about the caged animals in national parks and expressed concern about guidelines encouraging tiger safaris in buffer and fringe areas of tiger reserves. The Court’s emphasis on preserving the natural habitat and minimizing the impact of human activities on wildlife means a progressive step towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to conservation.
