Meera Bhardwaj:
The Supreme Court has directed all Tiger Range states to create a separate cadre of “Vets & Wildlife Biologists” for India’s tiger reserves. In a wide-ranging judgement for effective & scientific management of tiger reserves in the country, the Supreme Court has come out with a comprehensive order which will bring in proper care/treatment of this iconic species as also protect the habitat of tigers in the country.
The Supreme Court order dated 17.11.2025 says, “A separate cadre for veterinarians and wildlife biologists needs to be created for Tiger Reserves to assist field formations to carry out tasks which are highly technical in nature, keeping in view the enlarged scientific mandate.”
HIGHEST TIGER POPULATION
After Madhya Pradesh which has the highest population of tigers in the country and has a separate cadre for wildlife veterinarians, Karnataka with the second highest tiger population in India, has made the right move, in readying a proposal for the creation of a separate and permanent cadre of wildlife vets in the Karnataka Forest Department.
The apex court clearly states, “The focus should be on emerging thematic areas such as rewilding of orphaned/habituated tigers, scientific habitat management, following Standard Operating Procedures of the NTCA besides other guidelines and advisories. Further, a cadre for sociologists to engage with the fringe communities on an ongoing basis to create a social fence is imperative.”
KARNATAKA OPENS A NEW CHAPTER
In the background of the Supreme Court order on November 17, 2025, a month earlier to this, Karnataka govt announced a proposal for formation of a separate cadre of Wildlife Veterinarians for management of wildlife in rescue centres, elephant camps, zoos, etc.
Speaking to Green Minute, a senior forest officer said, “The proposal for creation of a permanent cadre of wildlife vets is getting scrutinized by the connected wings in the department before being sent to the State Govt.”
ACUTE SHORTAGE OF WILDLIFE VETS
In 2012, eight posts of vets were created in Karnataka and a few posts were filled up on deputation from Animal Husbandry Department and on contract basis. However, all the 8 sanctioned post were never filled resulting in unscientific and ineffective wildlife management. Now, there are only five vets in Karnataka Forest Department and out of the five, only two are wildlife veterinarians. Further, last decade has seen incidents of botched up capture operations of elephants, Indian gaur, tigers, wrong treatment of camp elephants, etc.
Forest, Ecology & Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre said, “There is an acute shortage of veterinary doctors in the state’s various zoos, elephant camps and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres. Incidents of death of tigers (by poisoning), elephants (electrocution), leopards (snaring) too have risen while attacks on humans have become frequent”.
TIMELY, ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR TIGER RESERVES
The Expert Committee set up by the Supreme Court has expressed concerns with regard to timely and adequate funding. So, the SC order states, “We find that it will be appropriate to direct MoEFCC, NTCA and the CEC to jointly come out with a policy framework on funding for tiger reserves. Such a policy should contain a SOP for raising budgetary grants and assessment and approval of the same. We direct all three to formulate the said policy framework on funding, within a period of 6 months.”
The Supreme Court has also directed the MoEFCC as well as the various State Governments to take necessary steps by notifying rules and/or by issuing memos or circulars for implementing the above directions and recommendations issued by them within May 16, 2026.