Supreme Court Orders Mandatory Eco-Sensitive Zones Around All Tiger Reserves

The Supreme Court mandated all States to formally notify Eco-Sensitive Zones around every tiger reserve nationwide.

The Court accepted the Expert Committee’s findings on ecological violations at the Corbett Tiger Reserve, including illegal tree felling and unauthorised construction, and issued binding directions with strict implementation timelines.

The Court ordered strict regulation of tiger safari facilities to prevent environmental degradation and held that safaris cannot be converted into commercial entertainment ventures.

The bench emphasised the need to balance conservation priorities with limited, regulated tourism. The directions aimed to prevent the recurrence of the ecological damage identified in the Corbett matter.