NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday banned all construction activities in the core areas of tiger reserves, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries after it was brought to its notice by a court-appointed panel that illegal constructions for establishment of a tiger safari was being done within in the buffer area of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath sought response from the Centre and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on the recommendation of SC-appointed central empowered committee (CEC) to review guidelines for setting up of zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in India in order to discourage tourism in wildlife habitat.
“The MoEF&CC to review norms issued under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 relating to setting up of zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries and amend the same so as to discourage use of wildlife habitat for wildlife tourism activities which are non site specific. Any approvals given for setting up of zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and protected areas are withdrawn forthwith…” CEC said.
As the report pointed out irregularities and illegal construction within Corbett reserve and suggested that the Uttarakhand government be directed to dismantle all illegal structures constructed for tiger safari, the bench sought response from the state.
A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Vikram Nath sought response from the Centre and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) on the recommendation of SC-appointed central empowered committee (CEC) to review guidelines for setting up of zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries in India in order to discourage tourism in wildlife habitat.
“The MoEF&CC to review norms issued under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 relating to setting up of zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries and amend the same so as to discourage use of wildlife habitat for wildlife tourism activities which are non site specific. Any approvals given for setting up of zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and protected areas are withdrawn forthwith…” CEC said.
As the report pointed out irregularities and illegal construction within Corbett reserve and suggested that the Uttarakhand government be directed to dismantle all illegal structures constructed for tiger safari, the bench sought response from the state.