New Delhi:
The Supreme Court has ordered that the ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves, in place since July, will continue.
The Centre had sought the court's permission to review its policy on tiger tourism, saying it has received representations from states that the ban will affect employment opportunities.
The top court slammed the Centre for seeking a review of the apex court order. "Now you want us to review this ban. We want to know on what basis did you recommend the ban initially," the judge told lawyers representing the central government. It also posted the next hearing in the case for August 29.
In July, the top court had banned tourism in core areas of all tiger reserves in the country based on an existing policy of the Centre. The ban was imposed after states failed to comply with the Centre's notification that tourism in these core areas be phased out.
Today, the court admonished the Centre saying, "Now what are you going to do to save tigers? The population of tigers came down to 1,200 from 13,000. You are more worried about commercial activities."
Several state governments and some NGOs have also filed applications seeking the lifting of the ban.