In a stand that will have far-reaching consequences for tourism in tiger reserves in India, the Centre has said the core areas of national parks and sanctuaries should be kept inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation.
The government spelled its stand in an affidavit filed by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in the Madhya Pradesh High Court, which is hearing a PIL that seeks to ban tourism, development or activity in core/critical habitat areas.
The court had insisted on an affidavit after the counsel for the authority took this stand in a previous hearing. The affidavit quotes Section 38 (V) 4(i) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 that says that core or critical tiger habitat areas of national parks and sanctuaries are “required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of tiger conservation, without affecting the rights of the STs or such other forest dwellers, and notified as such by the state government in consultation with an expert committee constituted for the purpose”.
From time to time the NTCA had issued several directions/advisories to the state government for protection of tigers, the affidavit said and again quoted revised guidelines issued in 2008. Summing up, the affidavit that was filed two days ago said it is clear from the guidelines that the core/critical tiger habitats have to be kept as inviolate and only management interventions can be allowed by the state government. In such areas if tourism activities are taking place they are required to be phased out in the fringe/buffer area.
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