Supreme Court restricts tiger safaris to non-forest land, bans night tourism: What tourists need to know

Supreme Court verdict reshapes how travellers experience India’s tiger habitats

In a landmark move that will reshape wildlife tourism across India, the Supreme Court has issued sweeping new guidelines restricting where tiger safaris can operate and how visitors may access tiger reserves. The verdict, part of an 80-page judgment led by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, reinforces conservation priorities and introduces stricter eco-tourism norms — all aimed at protecting India’s precious tiger habitats.

For travellers, this means your next safari experience may look very different from what you're used to.

Tiger Safaris Now Allowed Only on Non-Forest or Degraded Land

Under the new rules, tiger safaris cannot take place inside core or critical tiger habitats. Instead, they must be set up only on non-forest or degraded forest land within buffer zones — and even then, not within tiger corridors, which are crucial movement routes for wildlife.

Any safari facility must be linked to a full-fledged rescue and rehabilitation centre for conflict-prone, injured or abandoned tigers from the same landscape. Only rescued animals may be kept here.

States Ordered to Redefine Conservation Zones

The Supreme Court has directed all states to:

• Notify core and buffer zones within 6 months.
• Declare Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) within 1 year.
• Prepare or revise Tiger Conservation Plans within 3 months.

What’s Banned in Tiger Reserves?

To prevent ecological damage, the Court has prohibited a range of activities in buffer and fringe areas, including:

• Commercial mining.
• Sawmills and polluting industries.
• Major hydroelectric projects.
• Introduction of exotic species.
• Low-flying aircraft, drones, hot-air balloons.
• Unauthorised tree felling.
• Dumping or discharge of waste.

No Night Tourism, No Mobile Phones in Core Zones

Travellers should be prepared for stricter behavioural rules as authorities tighten conservation norms across major wildlife destinations.

Night tourism has now been completely banned, ensuring animals can move freely without human disturbance. Visitors will also not be allowed to use mobile phones inside core tourist zones, a move aimed at reducing noise, flash use, and distractions that affect wildlife behaviour.

Additionally, public roads cutting through critical habitats will remain closed at night, except in emergency situations. This measure is expected to minimise vehicular movement and prevent accidents involving nocturnal animals.

With these new restrictions, travellers can expect quieter parks, fewer vehicles, and a more regulated experience — making wildlife sightings more immersive, respectful, and less intrusive.

Eco-Friendly Tourism to Replace Mass Tourism

The Court clarified that ecotourism cannot operate like mass tourism. Any tourism infrastructure in buffer areas must comply with ESZ regulations under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

This means:

• New resorts permitted only if they follow eco-friendly norms.
• No infrastructure inside wildlife corridors.
• Encouragement of homestays and community-run lodges.

Human-Wildlife Conflict Declared a ‘Natural Disaster’

In a significant step, the Court urged all states to classify human-wildlife conflict as a “natural disaster” — a move that speeds up compensation and disaster-response mechanisms.

Victims’ families must receive Rs 10 lakh ex gratia, as mandated by the environment ministry. Uttar Pradesh has already adopted this classification; other states are expected to follow.

Corbett Tiger Reserve to Undergo Complete Restoration

Following serious ecological violations at Uttarakhand’s Pakhrau Tiger Safari, the Court ordered:

• Demolition of all illegal structures within 3 months.
• Restoration of hydrology and native plantations.
• Submission of a full restoration plan within 2 months.
• This case could set a precedent for other reserves facing similar issues.

If you're planning a tiger safari in India, be prepared for a shift toward a more authentic and environmentally conscious experience. Safaris will increasingly move to buffer zones, offering a closer look at wildlife without disturbing core habitats.

Meanwhile, night visits will stop entirely, and vehicle movement will be more tightly regulated to minimise stress on animals and preserve natural behaviour patterns.

You can also expect mobile phone use to be restricted inside sensitive areas, ensuring a quieter and more immersive experience for both visitors and wildlife.

As a result, many tourism hotspots may feel quieter, greener, and far less crowded than before. Together, these measures aim to create a system where wildlife tourism supports — rather than harms — long-term conservation efforts.