The Delhi High Court has issued an order restraining the forest department from conducting the “Walk with Wildlife” walkathon and cyclothon scheduled at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. This decision follows concerns about potential threats posed by leopards to the participants. Justice Jasmeet Singh pronounced the order after expressing dissatisfaction with the department’s lack of knowledge about the leopards’ whereabouts.
During the court proceedings, the department revealed its hope that the leopards would not interfere with the event track. Justice Singh questioned this approach, emphasizing the unknown risks associated with exposing individuals, including children, to potential encounters with the sanctuary’s wildlife. The court highlighted the department’s failure to produce essential documents regarding the event proposal, reinforcing the directive to halt the plan.
Advocates Gautam Narayan and Aditya Prasad, acting as amicus curiae, emphasized the sanctuary’s diverse wildlife, housing pythons, hyenas, and snakes, indicating the unsuitability of human access. They highlighted the absence of demarcation between core animal zones and tourist-accessible buffer zones under supervision.
Deputy Forest Conservator Mandeep Mittal clarified the sanctuary’s structure, expressing that the concept of core and buffer zones might not apply to smaller sanctuaries like Asola Bhatti. He outlined the department’s intention to limit public access to designated patrolling tracks for officials and sanctuary staff.
Earlier admonishing the department’s lack of action in differentiating zones, the court expressed concern over the potential risks to the public. Justice Singh reiterated the need for clarity on the number of leopards and their movements within the sanctuary, urging the department to prioritize safety over organizing events.
This decision comes in the wake of the recent sighting of a leopard in Delhi’s Sainik Farms, prompting Justice Singh’s call for comprehensive management before proceeding with events. The court underlined the importance of ensuring public safety and wildlife protection in these sanctuary spaces.
Sources By Agencies