Court ruling to save tigers
2007-05-28 10:36
Jaipur - An Indian court has banned
hotels, flash photography, firearms and diesel vehicles from the
last remaining tiger habitat in the Indian state of Rajasthan to
protect dwindling numbers of the threatened cats.
The ruling on Ranthambore National Park by Rajasthan's High
Court on Friday is part of a list of guidelines which also
includes closing the park two days a week to tourists and
constructing a periphery wall to stop encroachments.
"(Wildlife) are still running for a safe shelter for their
survival and existence," said Justice Ashok Parihar.
The order comes days after a census indicated the number of
endangered tigers is much lower than previously thought.
India is home to half the world's surviving tigers, but
conservationists say it is losing the battle to save them.
There were about 40 000 tigers in India a century ago. A
count conducted in 2001 and 2002 suggested that had fallen to
around 3 700, after decades of poaching and habitat destruction.
But the latest census suggested there may only be a third as
many tigers as previously thought in some states, which
conservationists fear is indicative of the situation in the rest
of the country.
The western state of Rajasthan once boasted two
well-populated tiger reserves - Ranthambore and Sariska.
But in early 2005, India was shocked by news that Sariska's
entire tiger population has been wiped out as poachers
slaughtered 13 big cats over four years.
Local authorities now say they are committed to protecting
the state's last remaining tigers, which are in Ranthambore, an
area 480km southwest of New Delhi that attracts
thousands of visitors every year.
There are around 35 adult tigers in the park, according to
findings from the new census.
Commercial activity such as hotels, mining activities and
villages must be removed from "eco-sensitive" areas and a
1.8m high wall with check points must be built
around the park, the court said.
"The fencing must be done on a priority basis so as to avoid
encroachments in the park area and also secure the safety of the
wildlife of the park," said Parihar.
Only vehicles operating on petrol and compressed natural gas
will be permitted in the park and all cars carrying tourists
must say at least 27m away from wild animals.
The chief warden and head of the park must also be held
directly responsible for any poaching, the court said.