SC bans tiger safaris at Jim Corbett, slams govt for environmental violations

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court (SC) took a decisive step on Wednesday (March 06) by imposing a ban on Tiger Safari activities within Uttarakhand's Jim Corbett National Park, citing the urgency of wildlife conservation outlined in the national wildlife conservation plan.

In its verdict, the apex court criticized former Uttarakhand forest minister Harak Singh Rawat and ex-divisional forest officer Kishan Chand for their alleged involvement in illegal constructions and tree felling within the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

Their actions were deemed to serve commercial interests, leading to widespread unauthorized deforestation.

Expressing dismay, the Supreme Court remarked, “They have disregarded the public trust doctrine.”

Consequently, the Supreme Court rebuked the Uttarakhand government, mandating measures for tiger conservation, including prohibiting safari tours within the core zones of the national park.

The court will further examine the feasibility of conducting safaris in the buffer areas.

Additionally, the Supreme Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to furnish an interim report on its ongoing investigation within three months.

Earlier this year, the SC had disapproved of the National Tiger Conservation Authority's (NTCA) proposal to establish a tiger safari resembling a zoo within the Jim Corbett National Park.

The court emphasized the necessity for an “animal-centric” approach over a “tourism-centric” one.

The matter was brought before the Supreme Court through a petition filed by environmental activist and lawyer Gaurav Bansal, challenging the Uttarakhand government’s plan for a tiger safari resembling a specialized zoo at Jim Corbett National Park.

In response, a bench led by Justice BR Gavai emphasized that caged animals should not be housed in national parks, opposing the 2019 NTCA guidelines allowing tiger safaris in buffer and fringe areas of tiger reserves to alleviate tourism pressure on core habitats.

Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Aishwarya Bhati, representing the NTCA, argued that promoting tourism does not contradict conservation efforts, citing examples like the Bannerghatta Biological Park in Bengaluru where tiger safaris are located in buffer areas of national parks.