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In a recent development, the Supreme Court of India has issued a set of strict laws prohibiting tiger safaris within the core or critical tiger habitats within all tiger reserves across the country. The order, delivered by a Bench led by Justice B. R. Gavai, reinforces the need for strict conservation measures in ecologically sensitive zones and mandates several regulatory steps for states to protest India’s tiger population.
The Court made it unequivocally clear that under no circumstances can tiger safaris be allowed inside the core, sensitive, or critical tiger habitat of any reserve. It also noted that these regions must remain inviolate, as mandated under the Wildlife Protection Act and conservation guidelines. The directive came after concerns that safaris within core zones disturb breeding areas and compromise wildlife movement.
According to the Court, tiger safaris may only be extended till the buffer zones and only by careful planning to avoid ecological damage. States have been asked to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) which already advises against tourism infrastructure spilling into core habitats.
In addition to the ban on core-area safaris, the Bench reiterated that no night tourism activities should be allowed in tiger reserves. The Court observed that nocturnal disturbances severely affect wildlife behaviour and movement patterns. Forest departments were also instructed to refrain from constructing unnecessary tourism facilities such as cottages or rest houses within protected areas, particularly in core zones.
The Court highlighted that existing facilities must be reviewed and, where necessary, relocated outside ecologically sensitive pockets.
Another significant direction concerns the establishment of Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) around tiger reserves. The Supreme Court expressed displeasure highlighting that some states had delayed notifying ESZs despite earlier orders. It directed every state with tiger reserves to complete the notification process at the first priority.
The Court stated that ESZs play a critical role in regulating the kind of activities that can take place around reserves, thereby preventing encroachment, unregulated construction, and negative human–animal interactions. It emphasised that well-defined ESZs are essential for maintaining the ecological integrity of tiger landscapes.
The Court also clarified that tiger safaris must be located strictly on non-forest land. This direction aims to eliminate the practice of carving safari spaces out of forest blocks, which reduces natural tiger habitat and interrupts wildlife corridors. States proposing new safaris have been instructed to identify suitable non-forest tracts and submit plans aligned with NTCA guidelines.
The Supreme Court instructed the NTCA to continue monitoring tiger reserves to ensure compliance with all guidelines related to tourism, habitat protection, and safari development. It also stated that any new tourism proposal within tiger landscapes must receive NTCA approval before implementation.
The Bench underscored that tourism must never compromise conservation goals, noting that tiger protection remains a constitutional and ecological obligation. With this order, India’s highest court aims to strike a clear balance between responsible wildlife tourism and the urgent need to safeguard the habitats of one of the country’s most endangered species.
(With inputs from various sources.)
1. What has the Supreme Court banned regarding tiger safaris?
The Supreme Court has prohibited all tiger safaris in the core or critical tiger habitats of India’s tiger reserves. Safaris may only be developed in buffer zones and strictly on non-forest land.
2. Why did the Supreme Court ban safaris in core habitats?
The Court noted that core habitats must remain inviolate as they contain breeding areas and essential movement corridors for tigers. Safaris in these zones disturb wildlife and violate conservation norms.
3. What has the Court said about night tourism?
The Court reiterated that night tourism must not be allowed in tiger reserves because nocturnal disturbance affects wildlife behaviour and habitat use.
4. What directions were issued regarding Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)?
All states with tiger reserves have been told to immediately notify ESZs, which regulate human activities around protected areas and help maintain ecological balance.
5. Are states allowed to build tourism facilities inside tiger reserves?
The Court has instructed states to avoid constructing cottages, rest houses, or tourism infrastructure inside core habitats and to review existing structures for relocation if required.
6. What role will the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) play?
The NTCA has been directed to monitor compliance, scrutinise any new tourism proposals, and ensure that conservation remains the top priority in tiger landscapes.
