Supreme Court Permits Night Safari in Kukrail Reserve Forest
The Supreme Court has given the green light for the Uttar Pradesh government to move forward with its proposed night safari project in the Kukrail Reserve Forest located in Lucknow. This decision, made on Wednesday, was in response to the case Ashok Kumar Sharma (IFS, Retd.) & Ors. v. Union of India.
This approval comes with the caveat that the project must adhere to the conditions set by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). The bench, which included Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, emphasized the importance of compliance with these guidelines.
The Court further instructed that a CEC member should regularly inspect the project site and report back to the Court, with the first report to be submitted within three months. Chief Justice Surya Kant remarked on the evolution of conservation practices, stating, “Zoos are old now,” and suggested that forest safaris could be a modern alternative.
Legal Proceedings and Court’s Observations
The case emerged from a plea challenging the Uttar Pradesh government’s night safari proposal, which is part of a wider legal debate concerning the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023. During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel expressed concerns that the project could disrupt the entire reserve forest area. However, the CJI pointed out that experts should evaluate such concerns, and assured that necessary conservation measures would be implemented.
Furthermore, the CJI noted that assurances had been given to remove invasive species and ensure that the project does not interfere with the existing wildlife corridor. The Court acknowledged a comprehensive report by the CEC, which recommended the project’s approval under strict conditions, to which the Uttar Pradesh government has agreed.
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Advocates’ Representations
Advocate Kaushik Choudhury represented the petitioners, while Advocate Gurmeet Singh Makker appeared for the respondents. The Court’s decision reflects a balance between ecological preservation and innovative approaches to wildlife conservation.
For more updates and live coverage of this case, follow the ongoing forest-protection matter involving the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023.
