Syllabus:

GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment 

Context: 

Recently, the Environment ministry agreed to invite objections and reconsider the rationalisation plan of Sariska Tiger Reserve. 

About the Boundary Rationalisation

• On 23 June 2025, Rajasthan State Wildlife Board (SWLB) cleared the rationalisation plan, which then secured the approval of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in less than 48 hours.
• On June 26, 2025, the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) decided to reduce the Buffer Area of the tiger reserve by 42 sq. kilometres and increase the Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH) by 43 square kilometres.
• In July, Alwar-based non-profit Tiger Trails Trust approached the Apex court against the proposed rationalisation, followed by Gurgaon-based People for Aravallis and three other petitioners in August. 
• Over 50 mines shut by Supreme Court orders for falling within 1 km of the existing CTH may be revived if the excluded areas are revised, posing risks to the ecosystem.

Key Concerns

• Loss of Buffer Zone and Wildlife Corridors: Shrinking the buffer restricts wildlife movement, reduces genetic diversity, increases human-wildlife conflicts, and harm long-term species survival and ecosystem stability.
• Environmental Threats: Resuming mines in excluded areas could cause blasting, dust, habitat destruction, and water disruption, threatening biodiversity, with critics arguing that commercial interests are being prioritised over ecological concerns.
• Legal and Procedural Issues: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 requires inviolate CTH and intact buffer zones, with boundary changes needing scientific, expert, and legal approval; however, critics argue the process was rushed, as clearances were granted within days.
• Precedent and Implication Beyond Sariska: Conservationists warn that allowing boundary changes for mining sets a dangerous precedent, weakening protected habitats and India’s conservation framework.

Critical Tiger Habitat (CTH)

• CTH is refers to the legally notified  core area of a tiger reserve.
• It is a legally defined area notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 
• These areas are scientifically designated as vital for tiger survival and kept inviolate from human settlement and commercial activities to ensure breeding and maintain genetic connectivity.
• They constitute the core of a tiger reserve, surrounded by a buffer zone which acts as a shock observer.

Sariska Tiger Reserve 

Sariska Tiger Reserve lies in the Aravalli hills, Alwar district, Rajasthan.

It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955 which was upgraded to a tiger reserve under Project Tiger in 1978 and was declared a national park in 1982.

Popular as the first reserve globally to reintroduce tigers following local extinction in 2004.

Flora: The vegetation of Sariska corresponds to Northern tropical dry deciduous forests and Northern Tropical Thorn Forest. 

Fauna: It holds a good diversity of wild mammals. As the name indicates, the principal predator is the Tiger. 

• Besides there are a number of large carnivores including Leopards and Hyenas. Smaller carnivores include Caracal, Jungle cat, Ratel etc. 
• Sariska also holds a variety of bird species including some winter migrants. It has a very high density of peafowl as well as grey francolin.

Sources:
Indian Express 
New Indian Express 
Hindustan Times