SC directs Uttarakhand to submit Corbett Tiger Reserve restoration plan within 2 months

The Supreme Court has directed state of Uttarakhand through its Chief Wildlife Warden, in consultation with the CEC to submit a plan for the restoration of the Corbett Tiger Reserve in line with the recommendations made by the Expert Committee, within a period of 2 months.

A CJI BR Gavai led bench has also directed the state to begin all clearing/demolition of unauthorised construction as identified by the Expert Committee, before the lapse of 3 months from the date of its judgment; and file a compliance affidavit within a period of 1 year from the date of its judgment.

"In relation to Corbett Tiger Reserve, the CEC will monitor and supervise the implementation of the ecological restoration plan developed by the State of Uttarakhand. While developing and implementing this plan and carrying out afforestation, the State of Uttarakhand must ensure that only native and indigenous species are identified, with special care to not introduce any alien species to the ecosystem", the judgment adds.

In its judgment dated March 6, 2024, the Court had considered the statutory and regulatory framework for the establishment of Tiger Safaris in Tiger Reserves and issued various detailed directions pertaining to the establishment of a Tiger Safari at Pakhrau as well as with regard to illegal construction and felling of trees in the Corbett Tiger Reserve. Furthermore, the existing Tiger Safaris and those under construction were not outrightly prohibited but were made subject to stricter standards.

The Supreme Court had also directed constitution of an Expert Committee that would carry out an in-depth inquiry, and make recommendations based on various aspects specifically including – restoration, governance, and operational protocols for Tiger Safaris, as well as guidelines for mitigation of ecological damage.

With regards to quantification of costs for restoration, the Committee had arrived at a figure of Rs. 4,30,89,110/- as costs for in-situ ecological restoration. The Committee separately assessed the potential ecological loss from safari project activities in monetary terms to be Rs. 22,95,06,306/- with conceivable net market value of felled timber as Rs. 6,80,00,000/-. Therefore, according to the Committee, the total damage costs were estimated to be about Rs. 29,80,00,000/-.

On this quantification the bench held, "We are, however, not inclined to go into the issue with regard to valuation of quantification of costs for restoration as well as the potential ecological loss caused from the Safari project. We are also not inclined to go into the issue with regard to number of trees felled since trial and the prosecution at the instance of CBI is pending. Rather, we find that it will be in the interest of justice that the State of Uttarakhand is directed to restore the ecological damage caused to the Corbett Tiger Reserve under the supervision, guidance and control of the CEC. Needless to say that the Field Director shall periodically report to the CEC with regard to the restoration and the restoration work would be carried to the satisfaction of the CEC."

Case Title: IN RE : CORBETT

Judgment Date: November 17, 2025

Bench: CJI Gavai, Justice AG Masih and Justice AS Chandurkar