‘Elephants can’t be displaced at will’: Karnataka High Court says no to land acquisition

The Karnataka High Court has ruled against land acquisition for a housing project in Anekal taluka of Bengaluru urban district, stating that elephant corridors are not mere passageways but integral parts of the animals' natural habitat and existence. Justices D K Singh and H Shanthi Bhushan emphasized that while development is crucial, it must balance with environmental and species interests.

The court heard a case related to land acquisition for housing, which was initially halted based on a letter from the Deputy Conservator of Forests, citing an eco-sensitive zone. The court found that no public purpose could override the importance of environmental and ecological conservation. They deemed the residential project "misconceived" and warned of irreversible ecological and wildlife consequences due to its location within the Bannerghatta National Park Eco-Sensitive Zone.

The court highlighted the significance of the park, which supports diverse wildlife, including Asian elephants, and warned that the project would disrupt the Karadikkal-Madeshwara Elephant Corridor, posing risks of increased human-wildlife conflict. The high court also criticized the approval of the project, noting that it ignored all concerns and did not undergo necessary environmental impact assessments and socio-ecological considerations.