Supreme Court Directives on Tiger Safaris and Conservation
The Supreme Court issued directives regarding the establishment and regulation of tiger safaris and conservation efforts in tiger reserves.
Tiger Safari Regulations
- Location Restrictions: Tiger safaris are to be established only on non-forest land or degraded forest land in buffer areas, ensuring they are not part of a tiger corridor.
- Core Area Prohibition: Safaris are prohibited in core or critical tiger habitat areas.
- Rescue and Rehabilitation Requirement: Safaris must be associated with a full-fledged rescue and rehabilitation center for tigers.
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)
- Minimum Area: ESZs must be at least the buffer or fringe area of the Tiger Reserve.
- Notification Requirement: All tiger reserves must have notified ESZs within one year.
- Prohibited Activities: Activities such as commercial mining, sawmills, and polluting industries are banned in buffer and fringe areas.
Tourism and Infrastructure Development
- Regulated Tourism: Ecotourism should not resemble mass tourism and must be regulated according to ESZ notifications.
- Infrastructure Limitations: New eco-friendly resorts in buffers are allowed, but not in identified corridors. Homestays are encouraged.
- Mobile and Night Tourism Restrictions: Use of mobile phones and night tourism in core habitats is prohibited.
Traffic and Conservation Plans
- Night Traffic Regulation: Strict night regulation on roads traversing core habitats, with exceptions for emergencies.
- Conservation Plan Timeline: States must prepare or revise Tiger Conservation Plans within three months and notify core and buffer areas within six months.