Context:
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The Supreme Court of India delivered a significant judgment aimed at strengthening tiger conservation by regulating tourism activities and mandating Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around tiger reserves.
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The ruling followed findings of ecological violations and mismanagement in the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, examined by an expert committee.
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The judgment seeks to balance conservation priorities with regulated ecotourism, in line with India’s commitments to wildlife protection.
Key Highlights:
Regulation of Tiger Safaris
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Tiger safaris permitted only on:
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Non-forest land or degraded forest land
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Located strictly in buffer zones
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Prohibited areas:
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Core / Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH)
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Identified tiger corridors
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Exception: Safaris in core areas allowed only if attached to a full-fledged rescue and rehabilitation centre.
Ban on Night Tourism
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Complete prohibition on night tourism inside tiger reserves.
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Strict regulation of vehicular movement at night, including:
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Restrictions on road widening
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Control of night-time traffic in core habitats.
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Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)
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All tiger reserves must:
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Notify ESZs within one year
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Ensure ESZs comply with MoEF&CC guidelines
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Minimum ESZ area should cover the buffer or fringe zones.
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ESZs aim to regulate human activities around protected areas.
Ban on Ecologically Harmful Activities
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Completely banned in buffer and fringe areas:
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Commercial mining
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Sawmills
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Major hydroelectric projects
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Focus on reversing ecological degradation in and around reserves.
Ecotourism Regulation
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Shift from mass tourism to regulated ecotourism.
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Permitted:
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Eco-friendly resorts in buffer zones
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Homestays and community-managed tourism
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Not permitted:
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Tourism infrastructure in tiger corridors
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Tourism development governed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Tiger Conservation Planning
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States directed to:
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Prepare or revise Tiger Conservation Plans within 3 months
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Notify core and buffer areas within 6 months
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Objective: Strengthen long-term conservation strategy and habitat integrity.
UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):
GS Paper 3 – Environment & Ecology
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Wildlife conservation frameworks
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Regulation of ecotourism
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Protected Areas, ESZs, and habitat connectivity
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Role of judiciary in environmental protection
GS Paper 2 – Governance
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Judicial interventions in policy enforcement
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Centre–State responsibilities in environmental governance
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Implementation of statutory guidelines (MoEF&CC)
Prelims Focus
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Definitions: Core zone, Buffer zone, ESZ, Tiger corridor
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Legal basis: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
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Institutions involved: Supreme Court, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change