1 week ago
Supreme Court Reopens Scrutiny of Hula Parties Driving Elephants
Wild elephants sometimes enter villages and farms, creating danger for people and animals.
Local hula parties try to push the elephants away using torches, fireballs, crackers and other frightening methods.
The Supreme Court says these methods can be dangerous and may disrupt the elephants’ natural paths.
The court has asked the environment ministry to study elephant corridors again.
It also wants the ministry to explain how such methods will be stopped.
Earlier, elephants in Bengal were killed after being driven toward dangerous areas or attacked with burning objects.
Forest officials have said emergency methods may sometimes be needed to prevent deaths and crop damage.
The court will examine the matter again on October 10, 2026.
The Supreme Court has directed a fresh survey of elephant corridors and measures to prevent their obstruction.
It called for prohibiting fireballs, mashaals and other coercive methods used to divert elephants.
The court said a specific ban on hula parties may be necessary and scheduled further consideration for October 10, 2026.
Hula parties have been linked to elephant deaths in Bengal, including three elephants hit by a train in Jhargram in July 2025.
Wildlife petitioner Prerna Bindra alleged that hula parties and fireballs continue to be used with the forest department’s knowledge.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Union environment ministry, state forest authorities, hula parties and wildlife petitioner Prerna Bindra.
- What
- The court ordered a fresh review of elephant corridors and measures to stop the use of fireballs, mashaals and hula parties to divert elephants.
- Where
- The order concerns elephant-bearing states, including Bengal, with reported incidents in Jhargram.
- When
- The latest order was dated August 17, 2026, with further consideration scheduled for October 10, 2026; the underlying case began in 2018.
- Why
- The court said elephant corridors have been obstructed by local factors and sought to prevent dangerous interference with elephants’ natural movement.
Wildlife protection concerns
Human-conflict management concerns
Use of hula parties
Wildlife protection concerns
Prerna Bindra said hula parties and fireballs continue indiscriminately and worsen risks to people and elephants, allegedly with the forest department’s knowledge and sanction.
Human-conflict management concerns
The Bengal government previously told the court that mashaals were the only method then available and that other methods might not be practical for avoiding human deaths and crop damage.
Restrictions on coercive methods
Wildlife protection concerns
The Supreme Court is seeking measures to prohibit fireballs, mashaals and other coercive methods, and said a specific ban on hula parties may be required.
Human-conflict management concerns
The court previously permitted mashaals temporarily as an emergency measure to avoid deaths and crop damage, reflecting the forest department’s stated concerns about volatile situations.
Key facts
- Latest court order
- The Supreme Court directed the Union environment ministry to conduct a fresh survey and file a comprehensive report.
- Methods under scrutiny
- Fireballs, mashaals, flaming torches, crackers and other coercive measures used to divert elephants.
- Hula parties
- Local groups paid to drive elephants away from human settlements, with allegations that unmonitored groups also participate.
- Next hearing
- Further consideration is scheduled for October 10, 2026.
- Jhargram train deaths
- In July 2025, a mother and two calves were reportedly crushed by an express train travelling at more than 100km an hour.
- Jhargram town death
- In August 2024, one of five elephants in Jhargram town was killed after being speared with a burning iron rod.
- Earlier Supreme Court direction
- In August 2018, the court directed states to desist from using fireballs, later allowing mashaals temporarily as an emergency measure.
Quotes
Supreme Court bench
The Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant.
“The status report shall also indicate steps taken to prohibit the use of fireballs, mashaals, or any other coercive measure to divert the natural movement of elephants. A specific ban on hula parties, etc, would also be required in this regard.”
telegraphindia.com
“Since 2018, the Bengal forest department doesn’t seem to have taken any meaningful steps to phase out the use of hula parties or the use of fireballs.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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