Why In The News?

• The Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan is undergoing changes in its Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) boundaries.
• This move aims to benefit over 50 marble and dolomite mines that were previously shut down due to their proximity to the reserve.
• The Rajasthan government has proposed a new boundary plan that would exclude certain areas from the CTH, allowing these mines to operate again.
• The plan is currently under review and aims to address both conservation and local economic concerns.

About Critical Tiger Habitat:

⇒ Critical Tiger Habitat refers to areas essential for the survival and conservation of tiger populations.

⇒ These habitats are designated to protect tigers from human activities.

⇒ Mining and other industrial activities are typically restricted within a one-kilometre radius of such habitats.

⇒ The Sariska Tiger Reserve was established to ensure the protection of its tiger population and associated ecosystems.

Proposed Changes to the CTH:

⇒ The Rajasthan government plans to rationalise the CTH boundaries by excluding approximately 48.39 square kilometres of land identified as degraded and affected by human activities.

⇒ This land primarily consists of hilly parcels that do not contribute to tiger movement.

⇒ In compensation, 90.91 square kilometres of quality habitat from the Sariska buffer zone will be added to the CTH.

Implications for Mining Activities:

⇒ The proposed boundary changes would allow over 50 marble and dolomite mines to resume operations.

⇒ These mines are crucial for the local economy, with estimates of annual revenue reaching Rs 700-800 crore.

⇒ The mining sector in the vicinity has faced challenges due to previous court orders, which mandated the closure of operations near the reserve.

Environmental Concerns:

⇒ While the proposal aims to boost local economies, it raises environmental concerns.

⇒ Experts warn that excluding certain areas could disrupt the internal connectivity of the tiger reserve.

⇒ This could hinder tiger movement between different segments of the reserve, affecting their breeding and survival.

Allegations of Corruption:

⇒ There have been allegations of corruption linked to the boundary rationalisation process.

⇒ Some mine owners claim they have been pressured to pay bribes for their operations to be reinstated.

⇒ The local authorities have denied these claims, asserting that the boundary changes are based on expert recommendations focused on tiger conservation.

Supreme Court Involvement:

⇒ The Supreme Court has been actively involved in overseeing the boundary rationalisation process.

⇒ A Central Empowered Committee (CEC) was formed to address various issues, including boundary demarcation and illegal mining activities.

⇒ The court has mandated the completion of the rationalisation process within a specified timeframe.