The Supreme Court has issued firm directions to the Uttarakhand government to undo the ecological harm caused in the Corbett Tiger Reserve, ordering that all illegal constructions inside the protected area be demolished within three months. A bench led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, along with Justices Vinod Chandran and N.V. Anjaria, made it clear that the State is responsible for restoring the reserve to its natural condition.
The Court instructed the Chief Wildlife Warden to personally supervise the removal of unauthorized buildings and to ensure that the reserve is rehabilitated in line with conservation norms. It also asked the Central Empowered Committee to monitor implementation of the restoration plan submitted by the State, so that corrective steps are carried out effectively and without delay.
In its order, the bench stressed that tourism in Corbett must be strictly regulated, noting that only eco-tourism is permissible. Any tiger safari or related activity must comply with the 2019 rules framed by the National Tiger Conservation Authority. The State has also been directed to prepare a detailed tiger conservation plan within three months, set up rescue centres, and closely manage the movement of vehicles in sensitive areas.
The Court further held that crucial functions such as patrolling and wildlife protection cannot be outsourced to private operators. Instead, it called for better support systems and incentives for forest staff working in difficult environments, even suggesting recognition through awards or medals. Additionally, the judges asked the government to involve local communities to reduce human–animal conflict and to put in place clear guidelines to manage religious tourism within the reserve.
This ruling builds on the Court’s earlier observations from March 2024, when it restricted tiger safaris to buffer zones and criticized officials responsible for extensive illegal construction and deforestation in the core area of the par
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