Supreme Court Warns of Dire Consequences Without Resolving Animal-Human Conflicts

The Supreme Court, while hearing a case concerning the demarcation of boundaries of Assam’s Pobitora wildlife sanctuary, emphasized the critical need to resolve animal-human conflicts to ensure the survival of forests and wildlife. Justice B.R. Gavai stressed the importance of striking a balance that considers the rights of both animals and humans. The Assam government has formed a special committee to survey and propose alterations in the sanctuary’s boundaries to protect the rights of wildlife and human inhabitants.

The court ordered the inclusion of the Chief Wildlife Warden and the Field Director of the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary in the special committee to represent wildlife concerns. While the court respects environmental activists, it emphasized considering the human aspect of the problem. Earlier, the apex court had stayed the Assam government’s decision to denotify the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary, emphasizing the need to protect both wildlife and the rights of human settlers in the area.