Today, On 17th November, The Supreme Court has ordered Uttarakhand to repair the ecological damage caused in the Corbett Tiger Reserve and remove all illegal constructions. The Court said the State must take full responsibility for restoring the reserve and preventing further harm.
The Supreme Court instructed the State of Uttarakhand to address and remedy the ecological harm inflicted on the Corbett Tiger Reserve due to construction activities and unlawful tree cutting.
The bench, comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, Justice Vinod Chandran, and Justice NV Anjaria, directed the Chief Wildlife Warden to demolish all unauthorized structures within the tiger reserve within three months.
Additionally, the Court requested the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to oversee the ecological restoration plan formulated by Uttarakhand.
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The Court affirmed,
“State of Uttarakhand is directed to restore and repair the ecological damage caused to the Corbett Tiger Reserve.”
Regarding tiger safaris within the reserve, the Court established guidelines to ensure compliance with the 2019 regulations of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). It mandated the establishment of rescue centers and the regulation of vehicle numbers.
The Court further emphasized that only eco-tourism initiatives should be permitted in the tiger reserve and instructed the development of a tiger conservation plan within three months. It also highlighted that staff functions should not be outsourced and proposed recognizing staff with awards as an incentive.
CJI Gavai remarked,
“We have issued guidelines to avoid human-animal conflict. We have directed the States to take stakeholders on board. We have also issued directions concerning religious tourism in the area,”
In March 2024, the Court had allowed tiger safaris in the buffer zone of Jim Corbett National Park but prohibited them in the core area. It had previously reprimanded former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kishan Chand for damaging the National Park.
The Court highlighted that the illegal tree felling within the park could not be overlooked and ordered the formation of a committee to assess the damages and estimate restoration costs.
This ruling was part of a case regarding permissions for the proposed Pakhro Tiger Safari project in Jim Corbett National Park and was pending further deliberation on the reserve’s restoration before this recent decision.
Case Title: IN RE : T.N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD V UNION OF INDIA AND ORS., W.P.(C) No. 202/1995
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