India's Supreme Court lifts ban on tourism in tiger reserves

NEW DELHI – India's top court has lifted a ban on tourism in tiger reserves across the country but asked local governments to regulate visitors.

In July the Supreme Court had ordered a complete ban on tourism inside tiger reserves while the government formulated new guidelines.

The ban was lifted late Tuesday after the government announced new rules aimed at allowing tourism to co-exist with conservation.

According to the new rules, no new tourist facilities can be created in the tiger areas and only 20 percent of tiger habitats will be open to visitors.

India is home to more than half of the world's estimated 3,200 tigers, with most living in wildlife reserves set up since the 1970s.