Topper’s Copy

What you wrote:

Significance of SC directives

The directives reinforce the principle of 'Ecocentric' Jurisprudence and ensure the long-term viability of tiger habitats.

1. Restriction on Tiger safaris
→ Directive: Safaris are prohibited in core Areas (CTHs) and must only be established in non-forest or degraded forest land within the buffer zone provided they are not part of a tiger corridor.
→ Significance: This protects the most sensitive breeding and dispersal habitats from constant human disturbance, vehicular traffic, and habitat fragmentation. It ensures CTHs remain inviolate, allowing tigers to breed and thrive without stress, which is crucial for population growth.

2. Mandatory ESZs and prohibitions
→ Directive: States must formally notify ESZs (not less than 1 kilometer from the outer boundaries) around all Tiger Reserves and enforce a complete ban on mining and polluting industries within that zone.
→ Significance: The ESZs act as a crucial buffer, shielding the reserve from the adverse impacts of Industrial and developmental activities like illegal quarrying and Commercial Construction. Their presence corridors and fringe habitats essential for tiger movement and conflict mitigation.

What you wrote:

Way forward

Government Initiatives

The SC's Judgement compels the gov & state forest departments to act with urgency and accountability.

1> Compliance: States are mandated to notify core/buffer areas and prepare/revise Tiger Conservation plans (TCPs) within strict timelines (e.g. three to six months)

2> Restoration: - the directive for restoration work and demolition of unauthorized structures in reserves like Corbett (due to illegal construction/felling) sets a precedent for legal accountability.

3> Example: - The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is tasked with strict compliance monitoring, and the focus will shift to promoting community-managed eco-tourism (like homestays) in the ESZs as per the directive, to balance Conservation with local livelihoods.