#Wildlife Protection

The National Green Tribunal invoked suo motu jurisdiction to order an inquiry into the illegal felling of thousands of trees in the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, including teak and saag. State agencies, including the Revenue Department and Forest authorities, have been directed to submit replies within six weeks, with impleadment of key officials mandated.

Supreme Court invokes Article 142 to mandate real-time surveillance, enforcement team equipping, and prosecution of illegal sand miners in the National Chambal Sanctuary, reinforcing constitutional duty to protect endangered species and habitats. States must comply within strict timelines or face contempt proceedings.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court dismissed a PIL challenging an environmental clearance near Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, ruling that the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has exclusive jurisdiction under Section 14 of the NGT Act, 2010. Petitioners must first exhaust remedies before the NGT, reinforcing the statutory bar on High Courts entertaining such environmental disputes without prior NGT adjudication.

NGT mandates nationwide elephant mortality database, dry-season action plans, and disease surveillance, establishing legal obligations for habitat protection and infrastructure safety.

National Green Tribunal initiates suo moto action against illegal brick kilns in Ratapani Tiger Reserve buffer zone, affirming strict environmental protections under Air and Water Acts.