Centre submits new guidelines on core areas of tiger reserves to SC

Saying regulated tourism results in enhanced awareness,the guidelines favoured permission for “non-consumptive,regulated,low-impact” tourism within the core areas without compromising the spirit of tiger conservation.

“With this importance of tourism in tiger conservation in mind,it is recommended that a maximum of 20 per cent of the core tiger habitat usage not exceeding the present usage for regulated,low-impact tourist visitation may be permitted,” said the guidelines which will be taken up by the Supreme Court Thursday as it resumes hearing a PIL by conservationist Ajay Dubey.

The guidelines contradict the Centre’s previous stand of gradual phase-out of tourism-related activities in tiger reserves. Based on that stance,the Supreme Court had on July 24 ordered that core areas in the 41 tigers reserves be kept out of bounds for tourists till it finalises guidelines for such areas. The core area is the central part of a reserve and should have minimal human disturbance. The buffer zone usually constitutes fringe areas upto 10 km around the core.

Some time after the ban,the Centre sought the court’s permission to “further review” the guidelines,citing concerns that the ban would result in loss of livelihood to local populations and endanger wildlife and forests. The court allowed the Centre to revise its guidelines.

The new guidelines say that no new tourism infrastructure should be created in core areas while existing residential infrastructure should be strictly regulated. “Permanent tourist facilities inside core areas being used for wildlife tourism should be phased out in a time frame decided by the Local Advisory Committee,” it said.

The LAC comprises the divisional commissioner,local MLA and district collector.

The ministry has also said tourism plans for each tiger reserve will be site-specific and ratified by the Chief Wildlife Warden of the state.

Steps For states

The Environment Ministry has recommended that states enact their own legislation in sync with these guidelines. Besides,states should charge a “conservation fee” from the tourism industry and use the money to conserve wild life and provide livelihood to local inhabitants. It also wants 10 per cent of the revenue generated from pilgrim centres located in tiger reserves to be used for development of local communities.