The Delhi High Court on Thursday stayed the Walk with Wildlife program to be held near the Wildlife Sanctuary following reports of recent leopard sighting in South Delhi’s Sainik Farm area. In its order, the High Court stopped the Delhi Government from organizing the proposed programs of Walkathon and Cyclothon in Asola Bhati Wildlife Sanctuary till further orders.
The court has asked the forest department not to organize the Walk with Wildlife program to be held this month. The court expressed apprehension that such a program could put people’s lives in danger. Regarding organizing the program, Delhi High Court had on December 5 reserved its decision on the matter of granting permission to the Forest Department to organize Walk with Wildlife program in Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Southern Ridge.
There may be 8 to 9 leopards in the forest
Advocates Gautam Narayan and Aditya N Prasad had raised the issue of hosting such an event at the sanctuary before the court. He said that such an event in the sanctuary is prohibited under law and cannot be allowed. It is said that the sanctuary is home to 8-9 leopards along with other wild animals like hyenas and jackals and a few days ago a leopard was spotted in the neighboring area of the area.
Leopard has not been caught yet
During the hearing of the case, the High Court had asked the Forest Department officials whether the leopard had been caught? On this the court was told that the leopard had not been caught yet. The forest department told the court that only a limited number of visitors in small groups would be allowed for the event on the patrol track and the decision to organize the event was taken at the highest level in compliance with all norms. It further said that the objective behind the event was to introduce people to the flora and fauna present in the sanctuary.
