News

May 05, 2010 No ban on tourism in Tiger Reserves
MOEF for Ecologically Sustainable tourism
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There is no proposal to ban tourism in Tiger Reserves of India. The
Ministry of Environment and Forests is working on detailed guidelines
for promoting eco tourism, i.e. tourism that is ecologically
sustainable and is in line with the carrying capacity of the
particular reserve. Denying certain news reports, Shri Jairam Ramesh,
Minister of State for Environment and Forests (I/c) said in statement
that tourism in the 39 ‘Project Tiger’ reserves will be strictly
regulated. Following is the text of the statement:-

“My attention has been drawn to some news reports that the Ministry of
Environment and Forests is planning a ban on tourism in tiger
reserves. I would like to state categorically that there is no such
proposal.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests believes that tourism is
essential and that the revenues from tourism must flow back directly
into the management of each of the tiger reserves so that local
communities can benefit. The advantages of tourism should be felt by
these local communities who should be encouraged to develop a stake in
the protection of these tiger reserves. This policy of ploughing back
is already in place in most reserves and it will be in place in all
‘Project Tiger’ reserves very soon.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has been concerned with the
reports of mushrooming tourist lodges around tiger reserves such as in
the case of Corbett National Park. That is why the Ministry of
Environment and Forests is working on detailed guidelines for
promoting eco tourism, i.e. tourism that is ecologically sustainable
and is in line with the carrying capacity of the particular reserve.
Tourism in the 39 ‘Project Tiger’ reserves, particularly in the core
areas, will be strictly regulated.”

Read the original report here
http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=61436