Supreme Court Orders Nationwide Survey on Elephant Corridors

Supreme Court's Directive on Elephant Corridors

New Delhi, Aug 18: On Monday, the Supreme Court instructed the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to carry out a comprehensive survey across the country to determine if any states have erected barriers or blockades within elephant corridors, deeming such actions unacceptable.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana emphasized that states are prohibited from erecting barriers in the paths of elephants, even in efforts to safeguard crops and livelihoods.

"The construction of any barriers or blockades in elephant corridors is intolerable. We firmly state that wildlife must not face obstacles. Elephant herds are known to travel extensive distances, and no state can justify constructing barriers merely to protect crops," the bench remarked.

Justice Bagchi highlighted the common practice in West Bengal of using fireballs and spikes to deter elephants migrating from Nepal, which then travel through West Bengal to reach Jharkhand and other regions.

Chief Justice Kant noted the presence of elephants in the Yamuna Nagar area of Haryana, which travel to Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

"No state has the authority to obstruct their migration," the Chief Justice asserted.

The Supreme Court has prohibited the use of fireballs or torches to drive elephants away and mandated state authorities to adhere to its directives.

The bench has ordered the Centre to provide a report within six weeks, pointing out that the MoEFCC has already issued guidelines to maintain unobstructed elephant corridors across various states.

"However, due to certain local issues, these corridors have been hindered. We direct the Union of India and the ministry to conduct a new survey and present a detailed report, including measures taken to prevent such blockages," it stated.

The report should also address the use of fireballs, torches, or any other coercive measures against wildlife.

Prerna Singh Bindra, the petitioner and activist, argued that the elephant herds are often chased in a mob-like fashion, exacerbating the situation.

She urged that actions must be taken to prevent the use of firearms, fireballs, and torches against the natural movements of elephants.

Chief Justice Kant affirmed that necessary measures should be implemented, and the court should be updated through the status report to be submitted in six weeks.

On November 14, 2024, the Supreme Court agreed to consider a plea for initiating contempt proceedings due to alleged violations of its orders that instructed state authorities to refrain from using fireballs to drive elephants away from human settlements or agricultural lands.