PIL filed challenging creation of tiger reserves

Creation of Tiger Reserves in national park & sanctuaries could compromise their true character, reports Satya Prakash

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Union Ministry of Environment & Forests and the Tiger Conservation Authority after hearing a PIL challenging the creation of tiger reserves in the already existing national parks and sanctuaries.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice YK Sabharwal asked the above authorities to respond to the allegation that the latest amendment to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 diluted the provisions.

The PIL filed by Bombay Natural History Society and three others took exception to inclusion of certain new provisions for the setting up of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau.

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Three other petitioners are - Wildlife Protection Society of India, Wildlife First and Conservation of Action Trust.

The PIL also challenged the September 4 notification for setting up of NTCA.
Petitioners’ counsel Raj Panjwani submitted that the new provisions to the Act diluted the existing ones, which were specifically incorporated for the protection of the wildlife and its habitat.

He contended that the creation of tiger reserves would compromise stringent conditions currently applicable to national parks and sanctuaries for the protection of wildlife and its habitat.

Satya Prakash Email: satya.prakash@hindustantimes.com