India High Court rules for elephants against developers

November 25, 2009

High Court says no to construction in elephant habitat. Credit Vivek MenonNovember 2009: The Madras High Court, in an interim judgment, passed a ruling in favour of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department in a case against developments which obstructed movement of wild elephants on the Segur Plateau and around Mudumalai Tiger Reserve.

Announcing the judgment, Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya, forbade any new construction in these areas. The court also called for immediate cessation of ongoing construction, and removal of physical barriers such as wires and power fences.

Dr B Ramakrishnan, Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) field officer, who is among the team of researchers assisting the forest department, said, "We are optimistic that the final ruling will be in favour of the elephants who have been using these routes for migration for generations."

Elephant conservation - Vital corridors"The court's ruling will have long-term benefits for elephant conservation in this area. It will facilitate securing of at least four corridors - Masinagudi-Moyar (Moyar-Avarahalla), Masinagudi-Singara (Kalmalai Singara and Avarahalla), Mavinahalla-Chemmanatham (Avarahalla-Singara), and Glencorin-Vazhaithottam (Kalhatti-Singara and Glencorin)," added Dr Ramakrishnan.

88 elephant corridors need protectionThe four corridors are among the 88 critical elephant corridors listed in the WTI publication ‘Right of Passage: Elephant corridors of India'. WTI, with the support of World Land Trust, Elephant Family, IUCN-Netherlands, has been working to secure critical elephant corridors across the country, by purchasing corridor land from private owners and transferring it to the government for inclusion into adjoining protected areas, or through community involvement

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