Supreme Court orders elephant corridor
India's Supreme Court has ordered a new survey of elephant corridors and a report on banning fireballs used to scare elephants.
India's Supreme Court has ordered the Union Environment Ministry to conduct a fresh survey of the country's elephant corridors. The court also demanded a report on banning the use of fireballs and other coercive measures to deter elephants, issuing the order on August 17.
The directive came while the court was hearing a petition against the practice of using fireballs and other harmful methods to keep elephants out of human-dominated areas. The court observed that existing guidelines for elephant passage were being undermined by local obstructions.
Corridor Obstructions
Elephant corridors are strips of land that allow elephants to move between separate habitat patches. The Supreme Court noted that these corridors have been "impeded/blocked/obstructed" despite guidelines. Chief Justice Surya Kant reportedly stated that no state could block such corridors, calling any obstacle "not acceptable."
The Wildlife Institute of India identified 150 elephant corridors across the country in 2023. Most fall outside protected areas like national parks. They face encroachment from settlements, agriculture, fences, and infrastructure projects.
A breakdown of the 2023 corridor status is as follows:
| Corridor Status | Number |
|---|---|
| Impaired | 15 |
| Used with decreasing frequency | 29 |
| No information available | 18 |
The court instructed the ministry to survey these corridors again and report the reasons for obstructions by October 14. The required status report must include steps taken to prevent such blockages.
Ban on Harmful Deterrents
The court's order specifically targets the use of fireballs, mashaals (fire torches), and other coercive measures to divert elephants. It calls for a report on progress toward prohibiting these methods.
It also demands action on banning 'Hulla Parties.' These are groups tasked with scaring elephants away, often using spiked rods and fireballs. In West Bengal, these groups are reportedly recruited by the state government. The court's order states a specific ban on such parties "would also be required."
Elephants are a Schedule 1 species under India's Wildlife (Protection) Act, granting them the highest legal protections. A contempt plea was filed against the West Bengal government in 2024 after a pregnant female elephant died. It was attacked by a hulla party using a fire-spiked rod.
The Supreme Court's comprehensive report must detail all actions taken to address these issues. The final directive ensures the court will be apprised of the ministry's progress through the submitted status report.
