SC orders nationwide elephant corridor survey, Ramesh cites destruction

The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to conduct a nationwide survey of elephant corridors within six weeks, barring states from constructing any obstacles or using fireballs and torches to drive away elephants. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant said no state could block elephant paths on grounds of crop damage or livelihood protection.

Congress leader and former environment minister Jairam Ramesh said on Tuesday that elephant habitats and corridors were being systematically destroyed by mining and other projects, and that "the will to protect and preserve is markedly absent." The court noted that the ministry already has mandatory guidelines but local factors have led to corridors being "impeded, blocked or obstructed." The survey report must also detail coercive measures used against wildlife. States have been directed to implement the court's orders immediately.