SC forms panel to examine tiger safaris, ecological harm at Jim Corbett: What was the case

Who is accused of committing these irregularities?

The report said these works were carried out without requisite approvals and solely on the instructions of the District Forest Officer (DFO), Kalagarh, who is not “competent to sanction such works.”

Before the CBI took over the investigation in 2022, the state vigilance department had arrested the DFO, Kishan Chand, and Brij Vihari Sharma, the then range officer, Sonnadi Range and Pakhrau unit. In October last year, the CBI also raided some other officials in connection with the case.

The CEC told the court it was “of the opinion that it was the then honourable Forest Minister who was the main architect of the entire matter.”

The forest minister at the time was Congress leader Harak Singh Rawat, then in the BJP. In January 2022, the BJP expelled Rawat from the party for six years on the grounds of indiscipline.

What solutions have the SC suggested?

The Supreme Court did not object to the decision to set up a tiger safari at Pakhrau, as most of the concerned authorities were in agreement with it. The Uttarakhand government informed the court that the safari was 80% complete and many tigers were waiting to be rehabilitated into it from rescue centers. 

Who is in the SC-appointed committee?

The SC-appointed committee comprises of a representative each from the National Tiger Conservation Authority, the Wildlife Institute of India, the Central Empowered Committee, and an officer of the Environment ministry, not below the rank of Joint Secretary, as its Member Secretary. The committee's primary task is to evaluate the environmental damage caused to the Corbett Tiger Reserve, identify the delinquent officers responsible for the damage, and recommend restoration measures.

The committee will also assess whether tiger safaris can be permitted in the buffer or fringe areas of a national park. If yes, they will suggest guidelines for establishing the same. The Court stated that the committee's approach should be ecocentric, keeping in mind the precautionary principle to ensure minimal environmental damage. The court also outlined that only injured, orphaned, or conflicted tigers may be exhibited in safaris and that no other animals should be sourced from outside the tiger reserve.