Supreme Court Orders Nationwide Elephant Corridors Survey in India

• The Supreme Court has ordered a nationwide survey of elephant corridors to identify measures needed to prevent obstacles in wildlife movement.
• The Court ruled that no State can create obstacles in elephant corridors merely because of crop damage, emphasizing the importance of unobstructed wildlife movement.
• The decision highlights the need for effective conservation strategies that balance human development with environmental concerns.
• Infrastructure development projects in elephant corridors may face increased scrutiny and potential liabilities due to the Court's ruling.

We are very clear that there cannot be obstacles in the way of wildlife. Elephant herds have a practice of travelling long distances. No State can say that just because crops are getting destroyed, there have to be obstacles in their path.

The Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling in the case of Prerna Singh Bindra and Ors. vs Union of India and Ors., directing the Union government to conduct a nationwide survey of elephant corridors. The survey is aimed at identifying measures needed to prevent obstacles in wildlife movement, which have been impeded by local factors despite existing mandatory guidelines.

The Court's order was issued on Monday, with a Bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohana hearing the matter. The judges emphasized that no State can create obstacles in elephant corridors merely because of crop damage, highlighting the importance of unobstructed wildlife movement.

The Court's decision is significant, as it acknowledges the need for a comprehensive approach to address the issue of elephant corridor obstruction. By ordering a nationwide survey, the Court has provided an opportunity for the Union government to reassess its policies and take necessary steps to prevent such obstructions.

The Supreme Court's ruling is a response to concerns raised by environmentalists and conservationists about the obstruction of elephant corridors across several States. Despite mandatory guidelines in place, local factors have led to the impeding or blocking of animal movement, causing damage to crops and threatening the survival of elephant herds.

The Court's decision is also significant in light of the Prerna Singh Bindra vs Union of India case, which has been a long-standing matter concerning the protection of wildlife habitats. The ruling highlights the need for a more effective approach to conservation, one that balances human development with environmental concerns.

In its order, the Court noted that while guidelines exist to ensure unobstructed elephant corridors, local factors have led to their obstruction. This has resulted in the destruction of crops and threatened the survival of elephant herds, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to address this issue.

The Supreme Court's ruling has far-reaching implications for infrastructure development projects in elephant corridors. The increased scrutiny and potential liabilities for developers who fail to ensure unobstructed wildlife movement may lead to a reevaluation of project plans and priorities.

The decision also highlights the need for effective conservation strategies that balance human development with environmental concerns. By prioritizing the protection of wildlife habitats, the Court has sent a strong message about the importance of preserving India's natural heritage.

As the Union government prepares to conduct a nationwide survey of elephant corridors, it is essential for lawyers and compliance officers to closely monitor developments in this area. The implications of this ruling on infrastructure development projects will require careful consideration and planning to ensure that developers are aware of their responsibilities and liabilities.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for the implications of this ruling on infrastructure development projects in elephant corridors, as it may lead to increased scrutiny and potential liabilities for developers who fail to ensure unobstructed wildlife movement.

Source: Original reporting via Supreme Court orders nationwide elephant corridor survey in India