Humans Dictate Animals' Rights, Occupy Every Inch Of Space They Have: Kerala High Court Laments Rising Man-Animal Conflicts

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday lamented the rising encroachments on forest lands leading to increased human-animal conflicts in the State by the day.

"Right now, every inch of space animals have, we occupy – and we expect animals to live as per the laws that we make. And we decide what their rights are," the Division Bench comprising Justice A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Gopinath P. orally observed. 

The Bench made the remark while considering the suo motu PIL, 'In Re Bruno', to monitor state action in reported instances of cruelty to animals. The Court was hearing an application for vacating the stay on boating activities at Anayirangal Dam.

Boating in Anayirangal Dam was being carried out by a society named 'Kerala Hydel Tourism'. The Court, based on submissions made by Amicus Curiae T.C.Suresh Menon, had imposed a stay on the operation and continuance of tourism related boating activities in the area on July 14, 2023. 

Today the society's counsel submitted that boating - through pedal boats and speed boats - would not hamper wildlife in the area. At this, Court expressed its dismay and remarked,

"The sound of a speed boat may be nothing for us, but it may not be so for the animal. Our attempt is to reduce to extent possible any intervention by humans whereby wild animals would be disturbed from their circumstances and come into human settlements."

Justice Gopinath said he had heard about a music programme held at a hotel that resulted in deaths of crocodiles at an adjoining park. "Within a week (of the music program), at least 15-20 crocodiles which otherwise would have lived for hundreds of years, died. There is a report which suggests it was only due to this program that the deaths of the crocodiles occurred," he added. 

The Court asked for a concrete view on the possible measures that could be taken as regards boating in the area. It thereby directed Senior Advocate Ramesh Babu and the Amicus Curaie Menon to place their views by the next date of posting.

Case Title: In Re: Bruno 

Case Number: WP(C) 13204/ 2021