Centre seeks SC nod to review eco-tourism norms

New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) The government Tuesday sought the Supreme Court's nod to review the guidelines on eco-tourism in and around protected areas following requests from stakeholders.

The requests for the review were received from state governments and indigenous communities soon after the July 24 apex court interim order that banned tourism in the core area of tiger reserve, the government said.

The government in its application said that the "government may be permitted to further review the guidelines and conduct more consultations with all stakeholders, including state governments and the representatives of local, indigenous communities, besides reviewing the process adopted by the states in notifying the buffer areas of tiger reserves."

The additional supplementary affidavit filed by the government said that ever since the court's order stopping tourism in the core area of tiger reserves, it had received representations from the states "who own the land and have pointed out that they would like to give input and the suggestions in this regard..."

"The states have expressed concern that many local people depend on tourism for their livelihood and hence stoppage of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve would result in loss of such income leading to discontent, which may be threat to wildlife and forests," the affidavit said.

The affidavit said that "the common citizen would be deprived of an opportunity to appreciate our natural heritage".