SC panel asks Centre to amend, withdraw guidelines allowing tiger safaris, zoos in wildlife habitats

A Supreme Court-constituted panel has asked the Union Environment Ministry to amend or withdraw the guidelines related to setting up zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and wildlife sanctuaries to discourage the use of wildlife habitats for tourism activities which are non-site specific.

In its report submitted to the apex court last month, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) also said that approvals given for setting up zoos and safaris within tiger reserves and protected areas should be withdrawn forthwith.

Permission can only be given for activities involving rescue and rehabilitation of injured or incapacitated animals from the same landscape, it said.