Zoos are old now: Supreme Court allows UP's proposal for night safari in Kukrail reserve forest

The Uttar Pradesh government can proceed with its proposed night safari project in the Kukrail Reserve Forest, Lucknow, the Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday [Ashok Kumar Sharma (IFS, Retd.) & Ors. v. Union of India].

However, the same should be subject to conditions imposed by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Court underlined.

A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also directed a member of CEC to periodically visit the site and submit reports to the Court.

"State of UP is permitted to proceed with the project subject to clearing of conditions imposed by CEC, MoEFCC. We direct CEC member to periodically visit the site and submit reports. Let the first report be submitted within 3 months," the Court directed.

Pertinently, the Court also remarked that forest safaris should not be discouraged since zoos have become outdated.

"Should this country remain in standstill? Zoos are old now," the CJI remarked.

The Court was hearing a plea against the Uttar Pradesh government's proposal to have night safari in Kukrail forest.

The case is part of the Supreme Court's ongoing forest-protection matter, a petition filed challenging the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023.

The petitioner's counsel today argued that the entire reserve forest area would be disturbed by the project.

The CJI responded that it is for the experts to examine the matter and that precautionary measures could be taken.

The CJI further noted that assurances have been given that all conservation steps would be taken and invasive species removed, and that the existing zoo did not fall within the wildlife corridor.

The Court recorded that the CEC had submitted a comprehensive report recommending approval of the night safari, subject to stringent conditions, and that the State government had agreed to comply with all the conditions.

In light of the same, the Court permitted the State to proceed with the project subject to clearance of the conditions imposed by the CEC and the MoEFCC.

Advocate Kaushik Choudhury appeared for the petitioner.

Advocate Gurmeet Singh Makker appeared for the respondent.

[Read Live Coverage]