New Delhi: The Supreme Court, on Monday, issued a number of directions for better management of the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve. These directives are aimed at ensuring better conservation at the country’s first tiger reserve that was established in 1973 as part of the Project Tiger initiative.
The order followed a plea by T N Godavarman, seeking directions to ensure conservation measures at the tiger reserve.
The Uttarakhand government came under fire and was ordered to undertake restoration work to compensate for illegal tree felling. It was also directed to demolish all unauthorised structures within three months.
“In the nutshell, we have held that if tourism has to be promoted, it has to be eco-tourism. We have directed special treatment to those working in the core area away from their families,” the bench of Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, Justice K Vinod Chandran and Justice N V Anjaria observed.
The top court has listed activities to be banned in the buffer zone and catchment areas. The ruling relates to permissions for the planned Pakhro Tiger Safari project at the reserve.
The Court issued guidelines, stating that any tiger safari activity must comply with the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s 2019 rules. It ordered the establishment of rescue centres and regulation of vehicle numbers.
“The infrastructure of the forest camp must receive facilities like clean water etc,” the Court said, directing the chief wildlife warden to ensure the demolition of unauthorised structures within three months.
It asked the court-appointed panel to supervise the ecological restoration plan prepared by the Uttarakhand government.
The bench also highlighted the need for special treatment for staff posted in the core area away from their families. It clarified that there should be no outsourcing of staff functions, and suggested awarding medals to staff members as an incentive.
The Court also criticised former Uttarakhand forest minister Harak Singh Rawat and divisional forest officer Kishan Chand for the damage caused to the park.
