Advertisement
In a significant move, the Supreme Court has imposed a ban on Tiger Safari in the core areas of Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand. The decision comes as a response to illegal construction and mass-scale tree felling permitted by former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and ex-Divisional Forest Officer Kishan Chand.
Supreme Court permits the establishment of tiger safari in the peripheral and buffer zones of the reserved forest Jim Corbett subject to the conditions. SC pulls down then Uttrakhand Forest Minister (Harak Singh Rawat) and then forest officials for indulging in commercial… pic.twitter.com/UU3MFoSNh8
— ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2024
While delivering the judgment, the Supreme Court criticized the nexus between politicians and forest officials, attributing environmental damage to their pursuit of political and commercial gains. The court specifically targeted Rawat and Chand for indulging in commercial activities that posed a threat to the ecological balance of the Corbett Tiger Reserve.
Despite the ban on Tiger Safari in core areas, the Supreme Court granted permission for the establishment of tiger safaris in the peripheral and buffer zones of Jim Corbett National Park, subject to certain conditions. The court emphasized the importance of wildlife conservation beyond protected areas, aligning with the national wildlife conservation plan.
The court expressed concern over the violation of the public trust doctrine by bureaucrats and politicians, highlighting the need for responsible governance in environmental matters. To address the issues raised, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), currently investigating the case, has been instructed to submit a status report within three months.
In concluding the judgment, the Supreme Court invoked a quote from the Mahabharata, emphasizing the interconnectedness of forests and tigers.
