Delhi HC bars ‘walk with wildlife’ event in Asola Bhatti Sanctuary

The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a restraining order preventing the forest department from conducting a ‘Walk with Wildlife’ event inside the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in the southern Ridge later this month.
Concerns related to the event, including a scheduled walkathon on December 9 and 10, were brought to the court’s attention last week by the amici curiae appointed in a case regarding the conservation of the Ridge and the removal of encroachments.
Justice Jasmeet Singh, who had reserved judgment on the matter on Tuesday, stated, ‘The respondents are restrained from conducting the proposed event till further orders.’
Amici curiae, advocates Gautam Narayan and Aditya N Prasad, argued that no human activity should take place inside Asola Bhatti, a protected zone housing wildlife, and that approval for the event was granted without proper consideration.
The government lawyer assured the court that the decision was made ‘at the highest level’ in adherence to norms, and the event aimed to acquaint people with the sanctuary’s flora and fauna.
Throughout the hearings, Justice Singh expressed concerns about the safety of individuals within the sanctuary, known to be home to approximately nine leopards, along with other animals such as hyenas and jackals. The judge reserved the order after hearing the counsel for the involved parties.