In a landmark judgment, India’s Supreme Court has imposed stringent new restrictions on tiger tourism to protect fragile habitats. Tiger safaris will now be allowed only on non-forest or degraded forest land in buffer zones — and crucially, not in recognized tiger corridors or core tiger habitats.

The court also bans night tourism entirely in critical and core tiger areas, and restricts vehicular movement on roads at night in such zones. To further reduce disturbance, mobile phone use is prohibited within tourist zones in core habitats.

Beyond tourism, the judgment enforces a stronger conservation framework: eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around tiger reserves must be officially notified within a year, and states are directed to update their Tiger Conservation Plans. Several disruptive activities — including mining, polluting industries, and low-altitude aircraft — are also prohibited in buffer and fringe areas.

In line with conservation ethics, any safari permitted in buffer zones must be linked with a full-fledged rescue and rehabilitation centre for injured, conflict, or orphaned tigers. The court’s orders mark a decisive move toward more sustainable, wildlife-first tourism in tiger reserves.