The Delhi High Court in the case Devinder v. The Lt. Governor and Ors observed and has stated that the safaris and public entries in wildlife sanctuaries are to be worked out very delicately and minutely in order to ensure a good balance between eco-tourism and the protection of wildlife.
The bench headed by Justice Jasmeet Singh in the case observed and has stated that the sanctuaries are made for the preservation and protection of wildlife in their natural habitat and it has been given that the animals and humans must co-exist, but lately, man has been encroaching on the habitat of wildlife.
The court in the case observed while restraining city’s forest department from conducting a ‘Walkathon’ and ‘Cyclothon’ event proposed to be held inside the Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary, till further orders of the court.
The court stated that the forest department was expecting at least 100 participants for the event, however, there was nothing on record in order to show that any arrangement was made for the same.
The court observed that the literature shows that safaris and entries into Sanctuaries are to be very delicately, minutely worked out and intrinsically planned activities to ensure a good balance between eco-tourism and the protection of wildlife.
The bench headed by Justice Singh in the case observed and has expressed concern over a recent spotting of a leopard in Sainik Farm area which adjoins the Asola Sanctuary.
The court stated that six days have been passed and yet the forest officers have failed to locate the stray leopard.
The court stated that this leopard has strayed in from the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and three people have been attacked. Thus, this is worrisome.
Adding to it, the court stated that conducting the event has turned out to be a ‘misadventure’ as the location of the animals in the Sanctuary are unknown, their area of movement is not isolated, the certainty with regard to number and species are a ‘guesswork’.
The court noted that there was no plan in place to conduct the event, the court observed that the copy of noting’s clearly shows that the permission for the proposed event has been granted in a mechanical manner with no analysis of the threat perception to th e people, the animals and the Sanctuary. Thus, the locations frequented by the leopards, jackals, hyenas, and pythons has not been discussed by the Department of Forest and Wildlife, while granting the permission.
The bench of Justice Singh in the case observed and has stated that the conduct of walkathon and a Cyclothon in the reserved and notified forest land cannot be permitted as it not only endangers the lives of citizens who will be willing to participate in the event but also the lives of the animals existing in the wildlife sanctuary. It has also been observed by the said court that no arrangement for safety and security of the public was put forth by the forest department.
In the present case, the court was dealing with the plea moved seeking removal of illegal and unauthorised encroachment in the reserved and notified forest land on the Aravalli hill range in Asola village Asola, which forms part of the Southern Ridge.
The court while considering the facts and circumstances of the case stated that the respondent is restrained from conducting the proposed event, i.e. Cyclothon and Walkathon, till further orders.
Accordingly, the court listed the matter for further consideration on December 15, 2023. The counsel, Advocates Mr. Gautam Narayan, Mr. Aditya N. Prasad, Ms. Prabhsahay Kaur, Amici Curiae with Ms. Asmita Singh, Mr. H Goel, Mr. BI Singh appeared for the petitioner.
The counsel, Advocates Mr. Satyakam, ASC with Mr. Pradyut Kashyap, Ms. Vishnupriya Pandey represented the respondent.