DELHI HIGH COURT: SAFARIS AND PUBLIC ENTRIES IN SANCTUARIES MUST BE MINUTELY WORKED OUT TO ENSURE BALANCE BETWEEN ECO-TOURISM AND WILDLIFE PROTECTION

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.