Syllabus: GS3/Environment, Conservation
Context
- The Supreme Court has issued directions to prohibit tiger safaris in the core or critical tiger habitat.
- A PIL was filed complaining about the various violations at the Corbett reserve for commercial exploitation in the name of tourism.
Directions By SC
- Sensitive Zones: SC directed all states to notify the buffer and core areas of the tiger reserve within six months.
- Notify eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around all tiger reserves, including buffer and fringe areas, no later than one year from the date of judgement.
- TCP Plans: The bench noted that from nine tiger reserves in 1973, the expanse of Project Tiger has increased to 58 reserves across India.
- Directions were given to prepare a Tiger Conservation Plan (TCP) within three months.
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) shall monitor the TCPs are put in place and whether the Steering Committees have been meeting at least twice a year.
- Tiger Safaris: The Supreme Court has prohibited tiger safaris in core tiger habitats, mandating them only on non-forest land with rescue centers for conflict animals and using electric vehicles.
- Designating HAC as Natural Disaster: SC suggested the states to actively consider classifying human-wildlife conflict as “natural disaster” and to ensure payment of Rs 10 lakh as ex gratia for every human death caused in such incidents.
- Uttar Pradesh has already notified the human-wildlife conflict as a natural disaster.
- It would enable faster disbursal of funds, immediate access to disaster management resources and clearer administrative accountability.
- Guidelines for HAC: It directed the NTCA to frame model guidelines on human-wildlife conflict within six months.
- It fixed a six-month timeline for the states to implement the guidelines.
- Prohibited Activities: In the buffer and fringe areas of a tiger reserve it banned:
- commercial mining, setting up of saw mills, industries causing pollution, establishment of major hydroelectric projects and activities related to tourism.
- Activities Allowed: Regulated activities such as:
- establishment of hotels and resorts as per approved tourism prescriptions,
- commercial use of natural water resources including ground water harvesting,
- fencing of premises of hotels and lodges, widening of roads,
- and movement of vehicular traffic at night.
Core Zone & Buffer Zone of Biosphere Reserves
- It is a large area of land or water that is recognised and protected by UNESCO.
- The main objective of a biosphere reserve is to promote sustainable development through the conservation of biodiversity, cultural heritage, and sustainable use of natural resources.
- A biosphere reserve may cover multiple national parks and sanctuaries.
- The biosphere reserve typically includes three zones:
- Core zone: A strictly protected area where human activities are not allowed.
- Buffer zone: An area where limited human activities are allowed, including research and eco-tourism.
- Transition zone: An area where sustainable development is encouraged, such as farming, forestry, and other human activities.
| Human-Wildlife Conflict – Human-wildlife conflict is when encounters between humans and wildlife lead to negative results, such as loss of property, livelihoods, and even life. Reasons/ Factors causing Human-Animal conflict – Urbanisation & Development – Lack of Protected areas – Population explosion – Deforestation – Agricultural expansion – Climate change – Invasive species – Increase in eco-tourism – Substantial increase in the population of prolific breeders like wild boars and peacocks. Impacts of Human-Animal conflict – Decline and potential eradication of species. – Financial losses and threats to health and safety, livelihoods, food security, and property. – Displacement and forced migration. – Increase in road and railway accidents due to infrastructure development in forested areas. |
Source: TP
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