Supreme Court orders fresh survey of India's elephant corridors

The Supreme Court of India has directed the central government to conduct a fresh nationwide survey of elephant corridors to ensure uninterrupted wildlife movement. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized that states cannot justify creating obstacles in these corridors due to crop damage caused by elephants.

While the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has issued guidelines for seamless movement, the court noted that many corridors remain blocked or impeded by local factors. The court has requested a comprehensive status report from the ministry detailing measures taken to identify and remove existing obstructions and prevent future impediments.

The requested report must also address the use of firearms and other coercive measures against elephants. This includes concerns regarding groups of people using firearms, fireballs, and other methods to chase elephants away from settlements and agricultural areas.