T. N. GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) I. BACKGROUND : This Court, in its judgment and order dtd. 6/3/2024 [(2025) 2 SCC 641, hereinafter referred to as "T.N. Godavarman"] passed in the present proceedings [to which one of us, Gavai, J. (as he then was) was a member], 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. In the said judgment and order, the existing Tiger Safaris and those under construction (including the one at Pakhrau) were not outrightly prohibited but were made subject to stricter standards. Therefore, in order to develop these standards in a scientific and rational manner, this Court directed constitution of an Expert Committee that would carry out an in-depth inquiry, and make recommendations based on various aspects as laid down in the said judgment and order dtd. 6/3/2024, specifically including - restoration, governance, and operational protocols for Tiger Safaris, as well as guidelines for mitigation of ecological damage. The Expert Committee was also specifically tasked with identifying the officials who were personally liable for the damage caused to the Corbett Tiger Reserve.

(2.) Pursuant to the aforesaid directions, the Expert Committee was constituted by the MoEF&CC vide an Office Memorandum dtd. 15/3/2024. The Expert Committee has submitted its report and the copies of the said report were supplied to the parties.

(3.) We have heard Mr. K. Parameshwar, learned Amicus Curiae, Ms. Aishwarya Bhati, learned Additional Solicitor General and Mr. Gaurav Kumar Bansal, applicant in person with regard to their contentions concerning the said report. After considering their contentions, by way of the present Judgment, we propose to issue directions in continuation of those issued by this Court vide judgment and order dtd. 6/3/2024 passed in the present proceedings.