Supreme Court Issues Landmark Ruling to Protect Tigers, Preserve Reserves Across India
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In a significant victory for conservation efforts, the Supreme Court has directed state governments to establish eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around all tiger reserves, including buffer and fringe areas, to protect these habitats from human activities. The court's comprehensive guidelines aim to conserve tigers and regulate protected areas across the country. The court has given state governments six months to notify buffer and core areas of tiger reserves, formulate a tiger conservation plan (TCP), and prescribe ESZs within one year. The ESZs will be at least one kilometre from the outer boundaries of tiger reserves. To bolster the defense of forests and wildlife, the court has issued a slew of directions regarding the employment, service conditions, and benefits for forest staffers. It has also prohibited outsourcing of forest staff and directed the Centre to create separate policies on funding of tiger reserves and staffing requirements. The court's guidelines include innovative measures to boost the morale of forest staff, such as allowing medals to be displayed on their uniforms for commendable work and an ex-gratia amount in case of an unfortunate death in the line of duty. The court has also directed a policy on funding for tiger reserves, including religious tourism, and a mechanism to prevent man-animal conflict. It has reiterated its earlier judgment that tiger safari should be established on non-forest land or degraded forest land in buffer areas, provided it is not part of a tiger corridor. In a significant move, the court has directed the Uttarakhand government to undertake comprehensive restoration measures in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and demolish unauthorized constructions. It has also prohibited mining activities within ESZs, which are either one kilometre from a tiger habitat or buffer area, or the notified ESZ (whichever is larger). The court's guidelines are based on recommendations made by an expert committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. The committee was formed to examine ecological violations, quantify damage, recommend restoration measures, and identify officers responsible for destruction inside the Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand. The court's judgment has been welcomed by conservationists and wildlife experts, who see it as a major step towards protecting India's tiger population and preserving its natural habitats. The court's comprehensive guidelines will help ensure the long-term survival of tigers and other wildlife in India's protected areas.
