Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Supreme Court Orders Uttarakhand to Restore Corbett Tiger Reserve, Regulates Tiger Safaris
The Supreme Court told the Uttarakhand government to fix all the damage done to the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve.
This happened because people built things without permission and cut down too many trees.
The court wants all illegal buildings torn down within three months.
Only eco-friendly tourism will be allowed, and they need to make sure tiger safaris are safe for the animals by setting rules, limiting how many cars go in, and creating places to help injured tigers.
Tiger safaris will only be allowed on non-forest land or degraded forest land in buffer areas, not part of a tiger corridor.
A plan to protect tigers must also be made.
The court is also making sure that officials who were involved in breaking the rules will face investigation and consequences.
This is to protect the park and the tigers living there.
Supreme Court ordered Uttarakhand government to fully restore ecological damage at Corbett Tiger Reserve and demolish illegal structures within three months.
Only eco-tourism will be permitted in Corbett Tiger Reserve, with strict adherence to NTCA rules for tiger safaris and establishment of rescue centers.
Tiger safaris shall be established only on non-forest land or degraded forest land in buffer areas, not part of a tiger corridor.
Court criticized former Uttarakhand Forest Minister and Divisional Forest Officer for illegal tree cutting and unauthorized construction.
CBI to continue criminal investigation into illegalities, and disciplinary proceedings against erring officers to be completed within six months.
- Who
- Supreme Court of India, Uttarakhand government, Chief Wildlife Warden, Central Empowered Committee (CEC), National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat, Divisional Forest Officer Kishan Chand, CBI.
- What
- The Supreme Court ordered the Uttarakhand government to fully restore the Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, demolish illegal structures within three months, and exclusively permit eco-tourism. The Court also directed strict adherence to NTCA rules for tiger safaris, established rescue centers, capped vehicle movement, and ordered formulation of a tiger conservation plan. Criminal investigations and disciplinary proceedings against officials involved in illegal activities were also mandated. Additionally, the Court regulated tiger safaris to be established only on non-forest land or degraded forest land in buffer areas, not part of a tiger corridor.
- When
- Monday (judgment delivered), March 2024 (previous hearings and rulings on tiger safari and illegal activities), ongoing (CBI investigation and disciplinary proceedings).
- Where
- Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand, India.
- Why
- To address and reverse the extensive environmental harm caused by unauthorized construction and large-scale tree felling within the reserve, to protect wildlife, and to ensure sustainable eco-tourism practices.
Environmentalists and Wildlife Advocates
State Authorities and Developers
Ecological Damage and Restoration at Corbett Tiger Reserve
Environmentalists and Wildlife Advocates
Emphasize the need for full ecological restoration due to unauthorized construction and extensive tree felling, advocating for strict supervision by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and adherence to National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) rules for eco-tourism.
State Authorities and Developers
Responsible for the environmental harm through unauthorized construction and tree felling, but directed by the court to undertake restoration and adhere to regulations for eco-tourism and tiger safaris.
Tiger Safari Implementation
Environmentalists and Wildlife Advocates
Advocate for strict compliance with NTCA Rules, 2019, establishment of rescue centers, capped vehicle movement, and exclusive eco-tourism activities within the reserve, with tiger safaris permitted only in the buffer zone and on non-forest land or degraded forest land in buffer areas, not part of a tiger corridor.
State Authorities and Developers
Proposed and partially built the Pakhro Tiger Safari project, facing criticism for illegal tree cutting and unauthorized construction, and directed to adhere to strict regulations and establish rescue centers.
Accountability for Illegal Activities
Environmentalists and Wildlife Advocates
Call for accountability for officials, including a former Forest Minister and Divisional Forest Officer, who acted with 'audacity' and violated environmental laws for commercial gains, urging for CBI investigation and disciplinary proceedings.
State Authorities and Developers
Officials implicated in illegal activities, such as the former Forest Minister and Divisional Forest Officer, are subject to ongoing criminal investigations and disciplinary proceedings.
- Corbett Tiger Reserve Directives
- Full ecological restoration, demolition of all illegal buildings within three months, supervision by Central Empowered Committee (CEC), strict compliance with NTCA Rules for eco-tourism and tiger safaris, establishment of rescue centers, capping vehicle movement, and formulation of a tiger conservation plan within three months.
- Tiger Safari Regulation
- Tiger safaris permitted only in the buffer zone of Jim Corbett National Park, not in the core habitat. Rescue centers to be established near facilities like Pakhro. Safaris to be established only on non-forest land or degraded forest land in buffer areas, not part of a tiger corridor.
- Illegal Activities
- Unauthorized construction and large-scale tree felling for the Pakhro-Morghatti Tiger Safari project. Former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and DFO Kishan Chand implicated.
- Legal Actions
- CBI to continue criminal investigation into illegalities. State to complete disciplinary proceedings against erring officers within six months. Court to monitor continuously.
- Previous Rulings
- March 2024: Allowed tiger safari only in the buffer zone. March 2024: Court criticized former Uttarakhand Forest Minister and DFO for violations. Earlier proceedings related to the Pakhro Tiger Safari project.
Sources
SC directs Uttarakhand govt to take steps to restore Corbett Tiger Reserve
Sariska to Corbett, Supreme Court comes to the rescue of India’s wildlife, sanctuaries
SC orders Uttarakhand to put back ecological damage in Corbett, pull down illegal structures; CEC to oversee restoration
Top Court Slams Rajasthan For Failing To Control Jojari River's Pollution
Tiger safari on non-forest land, no night tourism: Supreme Court
Supreme Court bans core-area tiger safaris and orders strict protection norms for reserves - Telegraph India
