Archive · 17 Aug 2026
Supreme Court: States can't block elephant corridors over crop damage
Elephants are big animals that walk very far to find food and water.
They use special paths called elephant corridors.
Some states in India put obstacles on these paths because elephants were eating and damaging crops.
Farmers were upset because their crops were being destroyed.
The Supreme Court of India heard about this problem.
The court said states cannot block the elephant paths.
It said wildlife should not have obstacles in their way.
The court also asked the government to do a new survey of all elephant corridors in the country.
This will help make sure elephants can travel safely.
The Supreme Court of India directed the Centre to conduct a fresh survey of elephant corridors across the country.
The court ruled that states cannot block elephant corridors over concerns about crop damage.
A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant made the observation.
The bench said there cannot be obstacles in the way of wildlife, as elephant herds travel long distances.
The ruling came while hearing an application that highlighted the blockade of elephant corridors.
- Who
- The Supreme Court of India, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant
- What
- Directed a fresh survey of elephant corridors and ruled that states cannot block them over crop damage
- When
- Monday
- Where
- India
- Why
- To protect elephant migratory paths, which states had blocked due to crop damage
Wildlife protection
Crop protection
Blocking elephant corridors
Wildlife protection
Elephant corridors must remain open; wildlife should not face obstacles, and no state can block paths over crop damage.
Crop protection
States have blocked corridors because elephant herds destroy crops, causing damage to farmers.
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Bench
- Three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant
- Justices
- Surya Kant, Joymalya Bagchi, and V Mohana
- Directive
- Fresh survey of elephant corridors across the country
- Ruling
- States cannot block elephant corridors over crop damage
- Context
- Application highlighted blockade of elephant corridors
- Subject
- Elephant corridors and wildlife protection