Introduction:

The Supreme Court, in a groundbreaking decision on March 6, directed the constitution of a committee to address the contentious issue of establishing zoos or safaris within tiger reserves, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries. The judgment, delivered by Justices BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra, and Sandeep Mehta, stems from a case centered around the Jim Corbett National Park. The court emphasized that existing safaris would not be disturbed but laid down guidelines for their establishment and maintenance. This verdict has far-reaching implications for wildlife conservation and eco-friendly tourism.

Arguments:

The case revolved around the legality of establishing tiger safaris, particularly in core or critical tiger habitat areas. The court scrutinized the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, concluding that while prior approval is necessary for core areas, such activities may be permissible in buffer or peripheral zones. The bench acknowledged the importance of safeguarding tigers for ecosystem well-being, addressing issues like poaching and illegal activities within national parks.

Court’s Judgement:

The court, recognizing its limited expertise, formed a committee comprising representatives from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Institute of India, Central Empowered Committee (CEC), and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. This committee is tasked with recommending measures for ecological restoration, assessing damages in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, identifying responsible parties, and formulating guidelines for tiger safaris. Notably, the court quashed the 2019 guidelines and restricted the exhibition of tigers in safaris to injured or orphaned individuals from within reserves.