Supreme Court Orders Strict Tiger Conservation Measures Across India

The Supreme Court issued comprehensive guidelines for tiger reserves, focusing on eco-sensitive zones (ESZ), buffer areas, and protection of core habitats.

Key Directives for Tiger Reserves

• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ):
  States must notify ESZs of at least 1 km around all tiger reserves, including buffer and fringe areas.
• Silence Zones:
  Entire tiger reserves, including ESZs, to be declared silence zones, prohibiting mobile phone use and night tourism in core areas.
• Tiger Conservation Plans (TCP):
  States must formulate a TCP within six months.
• Timeline for Notifications:
  • Buffer and core areas: 6 months
  • Tiger conservation plan: 6 months
  • ESZ: 1 year

Administrative & Funding Measures

• Centre to frame policies on:
  • Funding of tiger reserves
  • Staffing and cadre requirements
• No outsourcing of forest staff allowed.
• Field director post cannot remain vacant under any circumstances.

Tiger Safari & Tourism Guidelines

• Safari operations allowed only on non-forest or degraded forest land in buffer areas outside tiger corridors.
• Prohibited, permitted, or restricted activities in national parks/sanctuaries will also apply to tiger reserves.
• Mining activities banned within ESZ (either 1 km from core or notified ESZ, whichever is larger).

Noise Pollution Control

• Entire tiger reserve (including ESZ) to be notified as a silence zone under the Noise Pollution (Regulation & Control) Rules, 2000 within three months.
• States and Centre asked to replicate this for all protected forest areas.

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Purpose & Regulations

• Purpose: Serve as a “shock absorber” between protected areas and human activities.
• Nature: Regulatory, not prohibitive, unless specified.
• Local Community: ESZ notifications do not restrict local livelihoods such as agriculture or housing.
• Zonal Master Plan: States must prepare within 2 years of notification.

Background

• Guidelines based on recommendations of the MoEFCC expert committee constituted after ecological violations in Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand (2024).
• Aim: Strengthen tiger conservation, restore degraded habitats, and ensure sustainable management of reserves.

Source: HT & PIB