Supreme Court prohibits blocking of elephant corridors, orders nationwide survey
Worth reading — 1 past UPSC question on this theme (Prelims GS-1 2020).
2-minute summary
The Supreme Court of India, led by a three-judge Bench including Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana, has ruled that States cannot block traditional elephant migration pathways to manage human-animal conflict. Emphasizing that elephant corridors are cross-border and not state-specific, the apex court directed the Union government to conduct a comprehensive nationwide survey to identify and remove human habitations or obstructions from these ancient routes. Additionally, the court strictly prohibited the use of barbaric deterrence measures like fireballs, fire-torches (mashaals), and spikes by 'hula' parties to drive away wild herds, reiterating its 2018 ban. Elephants are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The ruling came during a hearing on a plea highlighting continued violations in West Bengal, where elephants migrate across Nepal, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. The Centre has been given eight weeks to report on its progress regarding the national survey and the enforcement of the ban on harmful deterrents.
Why it's in the news
The Supreme Court of India has directed the Central Government to conduct a nationwide survey of elephant corridors and strictly enforce a ban on using spikes and fireballs to deter elephants. The court ruled that states cannot create blockades in traditional migration pathways, as blockading is not a sustainable solution to human-wildlife conflict.
Background and context
Human-elephant conflict (HEC) in India has escalated due to habitat fragmentation, developmental projects, and agricultural expansion encroaching upon traditional elephant corridors. Elephants require large foraging areas and migrate across state and international borders. In 2018, the Supreme Court banned cruel deterrents like fireballs and spikes, but compliance has been weak, particularly in states like West Bengal. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, lists the Asian Elephant under Schedule I, granting it the highest level of legal protection. Project Elephant, launched by the Government of India in 1992, aims to protect elephants, their habitats, and corridors. However, the lack of legally notified corridors across all states has led to frequent conflicts, crop raiding, and casualties on both sides, necessitating judicial intervention to secure right of passage.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 48A — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) directing the State to endeavor to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
- Article 51A(g) — Fundamental Duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.
- Article 21 — Right to Life, which has been judicially interpreted to include a clean, healthy environment and ecological balance.
Committees and reports
- Elephant Task Force (Gajah Report) — Recommended the establishment of a National Elephant Conservation Authority (NECA) and highlighted the critical need to secure elephant corridors.
Government schemes
- Project Elephant — A centrally sponsored scheme launched in 1992 to provide financial and technical support to wildlife management efforts by states for wild Asian Elephants, their habitats, and corridors.
International organisations
- IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) — Classifies the Asian Elephant as 'Endangered' on its Red List of Threatened Species.
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) — Lists the Asian Elephant in Appendix I, prohibiting international commercial trade in the species.
- MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) — An international program under CITES that monitors trends in elephant poaching, with several designated sites in India.
Previous UPSC questions on this theme
- Prelims GS-1 2020 — With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements : 1. The leader of an elephant group is a female. 2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months only. 3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only. 4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Mains practice: Discuss the significance of securing elephant corridors in India. What are the major challenges in mitigating human-elephant conflict, and how can they be addressed in light of recent judicial directives?
Elephants are ecosystem engineers and Schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Securing their corridors—narrow strips of land facilitating movement between larger habitats—is vital for genetic flow, biodiversity conservation, and mitigating human-elephant conflict (HEC).
**Significance of Corridors:**
• **Prevents Habitat Fragmentation:** Ensures access to seasonal food and water sources across states.
• **Genetic Exchange:** Reduces inbreeding depression by facilitating genetic exchange between isolated populations.
• **Reduces Conflict:** Decreases direct human-animal interface, thereby reducing crop damage and loss of lives.
**Challenges in Mitigation:**
• **Encroachment and Infrastructure:** Linear projects like highways, railways, and canals cut across traditional pathways (e.g., Bengaluru-Chennai Expressway).
• **Unscientific Deterrents:** Use of barbaric methods like spikes, fireballs, and high-voltage fences by local communities ('hula' parties) to protect crops.
• **Lack of Legal Status:** Many corridors are not officially notified under the Environment (Protection) Act, leaving them vulnerable to land-use changes.
• **Inter-State Coordination:** Elephants migrate across state borders (e.g., West Bengal to Jharkhand), but conservation policies often lack interstate synergy.
**Way Forward in Light of Judicial Directives:**
• **National Survey:** Implement the Supreme Court's directive for a comprehensive national survey to identify and clear obstructions.
• **Eco-friendly Infrastructure:** Construct underpasses, overpasses, and canopy bridges in linear infrastructure projects.
• **Community-led Conservation:** Involve local communities in monitoring and compensate crop losses swiftly to prevent retaliatory killings.
• **Legal Notification:** Formally notify corridors as ecologically sensitive zones to restrict hazardous developmental activities.
In conclusion, securing elephant corridors requires a shift from reactive conflict management to proactive habitat conservation. Integrating judicial directives with community-inclusive, technology-driven strategies is essential to ensure the peaceful coexistence of humans and elephants.
Prelims practice questions
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding the legal and conservation status of the Asian Elephant in India: 1. It is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 2. It is classified as 'Critically Endangered' on the IUCN Red List. 3. Project Elephant is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 1992. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. Statement 1 is correct; Asian Elephants are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, receiving absolute protection. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Asian Elephant is classified as 'Endangered' (not Critically Endangered) on the IUCN Red List. Statement 3 is correct; Project Elephant was launched in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Q2. With reference to elephant corridors in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Elephant corridors are narrow strips of land that allow elephants to move between secure habitats. 2. The Supreme Court has ruled that states have the sovereign right to block traditional corridors if local agricultural crops are severely threatened. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A. Statement 1 is correct as corridors are narrow ecological pathways connecting larger habitats. Statement 2 is incorrect; the Supreme Court explicitly ruled that no State can block traditional routes of elephants, and crop destruction is not a valid justification for constructing obstacles.
Q3. Which of the following initiatives/programs is specifically associated with monitoring the illegal poaching of elephants under CITES?
- Project Tiger
- TRAFFIC
- MIKE Program
- CA|TS
Answer: C. The MIKE (Monitoring the Illegal Killing of Elephants) program is an international initiative established by a CITES resolution to measure levels and trends in the illegal hunting of elephants.
Revision flashcards
- What is the legal status of the Asian Elephant under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972? Schedule I, which provides the highest level of legal protection and absolute prohibition of hunting.
- What barbaric deterrence measures did the Supreme Court ban in its 2018 and 2026 rulings regarding elephants? The use of fireballs, mashaals (fire-torches), burning rods, and spikes to chase away wild elephants.
- What is the IUCN Red List status of the Asian Elephant? Endangered.
- When was Project Elephant launched, and what is its primary objective? Launched in 1992 by the MoEFCC to protect elephants, their habitats, and traditional migratory corridors, and to address human-elephant conflict.
- What did the Supreme Court direct the Centre to do in its August 2026 ruling regarding elephant corridors? Conduct a nationwide survey of elephant corridors, submit a comprehensive status report, and ensure the removal of obstructions.