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Supreme Court Tightens Reins on Tiger Safaris: New Mandates for Corbett and Beyond


In Re: T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India & Ors.


In a landmark directive aimed at curbing the commercialization of critical wildlife habitats, the Supreme Court has issued strict guidelines regulating tiger safaris and tourism across India’s tiger reserves. The order, delivered by a bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai, specifically addresses the ecological violations in Jim Corbett National Park while setting a new baseline for reserve management nationwide.

The Context: The Pakhro Violations

The ruling stems from the T.N. Godavarman writ petition, where the Court took cognizance of massive illegalities in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. An Expert Committee found that thousands of trees were felled and unauthorized structures built to facilitate the Pakhro Tiger Safari project. Accepting the Committee’s findings, the Court reprimanded the authorities for prioritizing tourism over conservation and ordered immediate corrective measures.

Key Directives & Mandates

1. Tiger Safaris: "Buffer Only" Rule

The Court has drawn a red line around core habitats:

Prohibition: Tiger safaris are strictly banned in core or critical tiger habitats.

Permitted Zones: Safaris can only be established in buffer or fringe areas.

Land Restriction: Even in buffer zones, safaris must be located on "non-forest land" or "degraded forest land" and must not obstruct existing tiger corridors.

Rescue Focus: New safaris must be associated with a rescue and rehabilitation center for injured or conflict animals; they cannot be mere exhibition centers for zoo-bred tigers.

2. Corbett Restoration Plan

Specific to the violations in Uttarakhand:

Demolition: The State must clear and demolish all unauthorized structures identified by the Expert Committee within 3 months.

Restoration: A comprehensive ecological restoration plan must be submitted within 2 months.

Oversight: The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) will monitor the restoration process to ensure compliance.

3. Nationwide ESZ & Mining Ban

Expanding the scope beyond Corbett, the Court directed all States to:

Notify ESZs: Notify Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around all tiger reserves (including buffer and fringe areas) within one year.

Mining Ban: A complete ban on mining activities is enforced within 1 km of a Tiger Habitat/Buffer or the notified ESZ (whichever is larger).

Night Tourism: A total ban on night tourism in tiger reserves.

Why This Matters

This judgment effectively halts the "zoo-ification" of wild habitats. by distinguishing between ex-situ conservation (safaris/zoos) and in-situ protection (natural reserves), the Supreme Court has reinforced the principle that tourism must remain subservient to ecology. The strict timelines for the Corbett demolition serve as a warning to other states that forest violations will face judicial accountability.

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