Supreme Court Considers Tiger Safari in Uttarakhand

Context:

The Supreme Court has shown a favorable inclination towards approving the establishment of a Tiger Safari at Pakhrau, Uttarakhand, situated in the buffer area of Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR). However, the court stressed that safari parks should only house local tigers that are injured, conflicted, or orphaned, and not those sourced from zoos. Additionally, the court has given the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) a three-month deadline to conclude its investigation into alleged irregularities within CTR.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Tiger Safaris
2. Needs and Benefits of Building a Tiger Safari
3. Concerns and Challenges Related to Building a Tiger Safari
4. Overview of Corbett Tiger Reserve

Tiger Safaris

Definition:

• A tiger safari entails embarking on an expedition to observe tigers in their natural habitat, typically within protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Locations:

• Tiger safaris are commonly conducted in regions with significant tiger populations, notably in India, which harbors a substantial portion of the world’s wild tiger population.

Legal Framework:

• The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which governs wildlife conservation efforts in India, does not explicitly define “tiger safari.”
• The act stipulates regulations regarding construction activities within protected areas, including tourist lodges, hotels, zoos, and safari parks, necessitating prior approval from the National Board for Wild Life.

Establishment Guidelines:

• The concept of tiger safaris was introduced in the 2012 Guidelines for Tourism by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), primarily permitting such ventures in the buffer zones of tiger reserves.
• Subsequent NTCA guidelines in 2016 allowed for the establishment of “Tiger Safaris” in buffer and fringe areas of tiger reserves, primarily for housing injured, conflicted, or orphaned tigers, with restrictions on sourcing tigers from zoos.
• However, in 2019, the NTCA revised its stance, permitting the sourcing of animals from zoos for tiger safaris and delegating the selection authority to the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

Needs and Benefits of Building a Tiger Safari:

• Alleviating Tourism Pressure: Tiger safaris can help reduce the stress on wildlife within tiger reserves by providing alternative tourism avenues as per the 2012 NTCA guidelines.
• Accommodating Non-Wildlife Suited Animals: Safari parks offer a solution for housing animals like injured, orphaned, or conflict-affected individuals that are not suited for the wild, keeping them within their natural environment.
• Supporting Local Livelihoods: Designating buffer areas for safari parks allows for activities that support the livelihoods and development needs of local communities, contributing to income generation and fostering local support for tiger conservation efforts.

Concerns and Challenges Related to Building a Tiger Safari:

• Risk of Disease Transmission: Housing zoo tigers or captive animals within tiger habitats poses a risk of disease transmission to wild tigers and other wildlife, compromising their health and survival.
• Focus on Individual Welfare vs. Species Conservation: Building safari parks for “rescued” tigers within reserves may prioritize the welfare of individual tigers over conserving the species, potentially disrupting natural habitats.
• Divergence from Conservation Norms: Displaying “rescued” tigers in safari parks diverges from the traditional practice of keeping distressed animals away from public view, raising ethical and conservation concerns.
• Legal and Policy Contradictions: The interpretation of tiger safaris as zoos within tiger reserves contradicts the conservation objectives, as highlighted by the Supreme Court, leading to legal and policy conflicts.
• Unintended Consequences: Efforts to reduce tourist crowds around tigers in reserves through safari parks may backfire, with new safari routes attracting even more visitors, exacerbating the tourism pressure.

Overview of Corbett Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Corbett Tiger Reserve is situated in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand, India.
• History: Established in 1936 as Hailey National Park, it was renamed Corbett National Park in honor of Jim Corbett, a renowned conservationist and hunter. It was one of the first national parks in India. The Project Tiger initiative was launched in 1973, with Corbett National Park being one of the initial reserves under this program.
• Purpose: The primary objective of establishing the reserve was to protect the endangered Bengal tiger, along with other species of flora and fauna.
• Composition: The reserve comprises the core area known as Corbett National Park and the surrounding buffer zone, which includes reserve forests and the Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Geography: The entire area of the reserve is characterized by mountainous terrain, falling within the Shivalik and Outer Himalaya geological provinces.
• Major Rivers: Several rivers flow through the reserve, including Ramganga, Sonanadi, Mandal, Palain, and Kosi, providing crucial water sources for the diverse ecosystem within the reserve.

-Source: The Hindu