Safaris And Public Entries In Sanctuaries Must Be Minutely Worked Out To Ensure Balance Between Eco-Tourism And Wildlife Protection: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court on Thursday said that safaris and public entries in wildlife sanctuaries are to be worked out very delicately and minutely to ensure a good balance between eco-tourism and the protection of wildlife.

“Admittedly, sanctuaries are made for the preservation and protection of wildlife in their natural habitat. It is given that animals and humans must co-exist, but lately, man has been encroaching on the habitat of wildlife,” Justice Jasmeet Singh said.

The court made the observations while restraining city's forest department from conducting a “Walkathon” and “Cyclothon” event proposed to be held inside the Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary, till further orders.

The court observed that the forest department was expecting at least 100 participants for the event, however, there was nothing on record to show that any arrangement was made for the same.

Justice Singh said that there was no plan or arrangement for the disposal of waste, including human waste, or for prevention of loud noise created by the organising of such a mass event.

“The literature shows that safaris and entries into Sanctuaries are to be very delicately, minutely worked out and intrinsically planned activities to ensure a good balance between eco-tourism and the protection of wildlife,” the court said.

Furthermore, Justice Singh also expressed concern over a recent spotting of a leopard in Sainik Farm area which adjoins the Asola Sanctuary.

“Six days have passed and yet the forest officers have failed to locate the stray leopard. According to the press news, this leopard has strayed in from the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and three people have been attacked. This is worrisome,” the court said.

It added that conducting the event has turned out to be a “misadventure” as the location of the animals in the Sanctuary are unknown, their area of movement is not isolated, the certainty with regard to number and species are a “guesswork”.

Noting that there was no plan in place to conduct the event, the court observed that:

“The „Copy of notings‟ clearly shows that the permission for the proposed event has been granted in a mechanical manner with no analysis of the threat perception to the people, the animals and the Sanctuary. The locations frequented by the leopards, jackals, hyenas, and pythons has not been discussed by the Department of Forest and Wildlife, while granting the permission.”

Justice Singh observed that conduct of walkathon and a Cyclothon in the reserved and notified forest land cannot be permitted as it not only endangers the lives of citizens who will be willing to participate in the event but also the lives of the animals existing in the wildlife sanctuary.

The court observed that no arrangement for safety and security of the public was put forth by the forest department.

“In view of the above and for the aforesaid reasons, the Respondents are restrained from conducting the proposed event, i.e. Cyclothon and Walkathon, till further orders,” the court said while listing the matter for hearing on December 15.

The court was dealing with a plea seeking removal of illegal and unauthorised encroachment in the reserved and notified forest land on the Aravalli hill range in Asola village Asola, which forms part of the Southern Ridge.

Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Gautam Narayan, Mr. Aditya N. Prasad, Ms. Prabhsahay Kaur, Amici Curiae with Ms. Asmita Singh, Mr. H Goel, Mr. BI Singh, Advs

Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Satyakam, ASC with Mr. Pradyut Kashyap, Ms. Vishnupriya Pandey, Advs

Title: DEVINDER v. THE LT. GOVERNOR & ORS

Click Here To Read Order