1 week ago
Bombay High Court Rebukes Maharashtra Over Students’ Wildlife Risk
A court is worried about children who must travel through areas where wild animals may be present.
There are 228 students from eight villages who attend five schools.
They do not have enough safe transportation.
One child reportedly walks about four hours each day to reach school.
The longest journey mentioned is about 30 kilometres.
The Bombay High Court said the government was not doing enough to protect the children.
It asked the district collector and forest department to explain themselves.
The court will consider the matter again on August 25.
The Bombay High Court criticized the Maharashtra government over unsafe travel conditions for 228 students.
The students come from eight villages and travel to five schools in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve region.
Some students reportedly travel up to 30 kilometres and walk for about four hours daily to attend school.
The court said authorities had failed to comply with directions issued on April 2.
The district collector and forest department must explain the lack of transport; the matter returns on August 25.
- Who
- The Bombay High Court, 228 students, the Maharashtra government, the district collector and the forest department.
- What
- The court criticized the government for failing to provide adequate and safe transport for students travelling to school.
- Where
- The students travel from eight villages to five schools in the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve region; the case was heard at the Kolhapur Circuit Bench.
- When
- The hearing took place on August 19, 2026; the case is scheduled to be heard again on August 25.
- Why
- The court said the students face dangerous and excessively long journeys because minimum transport facilities have not been provided.
Key facts
- Students affected
- 228 students
- Villages involved
- Eight villages
- Schools served
- Five schools
- Longest distance reported
- About 30 kilometres
- Walking time reported
- About four hours daily
- Court hearing
- Bombay High Court’s Kolhapur Circuit Bench
- Next hearing
- August 25
- Earlier directions
- Directions issued on April 2
Quotes
The Bombay High Court
Judicial decision in Kolhapur Circuit Bench
“The maximum distance is travelled by a child for about 30 kilometres to study in 6th standard, and he walks 4 hours daily, as no transport facility is available. The apathy of the State Government is appalling. There is absolutely no concern for the safety of the children.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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