The guidelines, prepared by a committee constituted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), have laid down a slew of steps to curb tourism activities in core/critical tiger habitats and proposed steps to conserve the fragile ecosystems and wildlife in forests, which of late have come under threat from human activity and unregulated tourist activities.

The guidelines received approval of the MoEF on June 12, following which the Centre filed a copy in the Supreme Court where a PIL had questioned the prevailing tourism business thriving in core/critical tiger habitats of the country’s popular tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries as per a report in the Pioneer.

With a view to encourage tourism at the same time protecting wildlife, the guidelines said, “Within five years, permanent facilities located inside of core-critical tiger habitat, critical wildlife habitat, which are being used for wildlife tourism should be phased out.” In addition, “Any core area in a tiger reserve from which relocation has been carried out will not be used for tourism activities,” it said.

The report also demarcated the permissible extent of tourism in core areas and the extent of buffer zone. In parks and sanctuaries having a core area extending more than 500 sq km, tourism access may be permitted till up to a maximum of 20 per cent of the said area, provided 30 per cent buffer area around the zone is restored as a wildlife habitat in next five years, the report said. Core areas below 500 sq km will have a corresponding 10 per cent maximum area for tourism access with 20 per cent surrounding buffer land restored as wildlife habitat.

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