New Delhi: The government Wednesday said the states have been advised to regulate tourist visits in tiger reserves which have become a source threat to the wildlife.
Replying to a question in Lok Sabha, Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said, "tourism activities around tiger reserves have become a new source of tension and threat.
"Advisories have been issued to tiger range states for regulating tourist visitation in tiger reserves."
Further, he said, guidelines have also been issued to phase out tourism activities from the core or critical tiger habitats, while creating buffer in its peripheral areas.
He said there had been reports relating to disturbance of wildlife habitat on account of tourism infrastructure.
"Action has been initiated for evolving a set of ecotourism guidelines to benefit fringe-dwelling local people and relocated villagers, with a view to elicit local public support for tiger conservation," he said.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, April 21, 2010, 16:40