Tiger Tourism Ban in India

Supreme Court pass interim order to banned tourism in national tiger reserves core area with immediate effect. Court also warning to states if they will maintain order, they would imposing fines and other strict action against them.

A bench of  two-judge Swatanter Kumar and F.M.I. Kalifulla responding a petition by a non-govt environment organization,  and acknowledged concerns expressed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority that tourism may be pushing tigers towards extinction and give “inviolate space” to tigers.

How a “inviolate space” of 800-1200 sq km recommended by Wildlife Institute of India and National Board of Wildlife for peaceful breeding by a group of 20 tigress and survival of young cubs was disturbed due to tourism in tiger reserves.

Judge bench said “Why should tourism be allowed in core areas (of tiger reserves)? Tigers are practically on the verge of extinction, whatever be the statistics,” .We make it clear that till a final order is passed by this court, the core zones or core areas in tiger reserves will not be used for tourism."

In the buffer zone (10-km stretch around the core area) tourism is permitted.  Guidelines issued to states where tigers reserve available for project tiger. If states failed maintain this order Rs. 50000 fine will be charged from principle secretary (forest) personally.

Environment minister Jayanthi Natarajan said: “I will write to all chief ministers asking them to strictly follow the SC directive.”

HoFF of Rajasthan, RN Mehrotra said some time tourism effect tiger’s life, he added “A couple of years back, tigress T-19 gave birth to three cubs in a tourist zone. But when people started stopping every now and then and clicking pictures, she changed her territory and went towards the core area,”

Some Forrest official felt that a regulated tourism is good options then complete ban. Sources said order will be increase poaching and killing of tigers, they said that that most of the tigers that were poached were from that zones where tourists entry was banned. According to them forest staff not reached on all area. If tourism will prevailed in core area it is chance to poacher did not get time to poach tiger in much visited area.

India have estimated 1706 tigers left in across 39 core area. India is world biggest hub of tigers. According to wildlife scientists tiger is safe in core area.Tiger tourism is a big source to earn money for locals in tiger’s reserve. They depend on tiger tourism. After passing order mostly local communities will lost their employment in tigers reserve. It is possible that outside hotels in core area would be shut down.

Conservationist Ajay Dubey, said, “I am aware that tourists will not be able to see the best parts of Kanha or Bandhavgarh. But for the sort of pressure tourism was exerting on tigers, I think it is a small price to pay.”