Sanctuaries reopening on October 1 … SC verdict awaited

 ROARrrrr for Jungle Tiger

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Officials, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists are waiting with bated breath for Thursday’s Supreme Court verdict on tourism in the core of areas of wildlife sanctuaries. With

just three days to go for the Ranthambore and Sariska national parks to re-open (October 1), this would chart the way for the two thriving tiger reserves in the state.

The Centre on Wednesday filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court requesting that the ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves be lifted. In the affidavit, the Centre has outlined the revised guidelines to protect the tiger population and requested the court to permit tourism activities in 20% of the core tiger habitat. The guidelines also seek phasing out of permanent tourist facilities located inside the core areas of the reserve in a specified time frame.

Facing pressure from the states, the Centre had moved the Supreme Court seeking permission to revise the guidelines and the court gave permission. The Supreme Court will take up the issue on September 27.