he Supreme Court extended the ban on tourism activities in the core areas of tiger reserves.

A bench of justices A K Patnaik and Swatanter Kumar put some searching questions to the Centre as it made a fresh plea for the review of the apex court's July 24 order banning tourism in the core areas of tiger reserves.

The apex court earlier on July 24 had imposed an interim ban on tourism in core areas of tiger reserves on the basis of same guidelines. The ban extended today would remain in place at least till next hearing on August 29.

The apex court later posted the matter for further hearing to August 29.

 Centre has sought the Supreme Court's permission to review existing guidelines for conservation of tigers in the wake of its order banning tourism in core areas of tiger reserves across the country. Citing concerns expressed by the States, Centre's affidavit virtually urged the apex court to review its July 24 interim order banning tourism in the core areas of the wild cats until final orders. 

It claimed that the ban on tourism could result in not only loss of livelihood to several persons but also pose threat to wildlife and forests in the country.