The Gujarat High Court has issued a pivotal directive restraining the Indian Railways from commencing gauge conversion activities in and around the Gir sanctuary without explicit permission from the court. This ruling came in response to a suo motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the safety of Asiatic lions, prompted by recent unnatural deaths of lions due to railway accidents.
The High Court initiated an inquiry following the deaths of three Asiatic lions in railway mishaps. The court’s intervention underscores concerns over the potential impact of railway operations on wildlife habitats, particularly in sensitive areas like Gir. During the court proceedings, the counsel representing the forest department presented findings from a joint inquiry report. Measures outlined included reducing train speeds, training railway personnel on wildlife sensitization, and modifying operational protocols near the sanctuary to mitigate risks to Asiatic lions. The court was informed that plans to convert the railway tracks from metre gauge to broad gauge between Amreli and Khijadiya, though located outside the protected area, have been shelved temporarily. The decision to defer gauge conversion was justified on grounds of preserving the lion corridor and pending a comprehensive feasibility study on wildlife movement and land allocation considerations.
The Chief Justice of the Gujarat High Court emphasized strict oversight, stating that any revival or advancement of the gauge conversion project must be pre-approved by the court. “Without the leave of this court, you are not going ahead with the project,” the Chief Justice affirmed, reinforcing judicial scrutiny over future railway developments near Gir sanctuary. This judicial intervention highlights the delicate balance between infrastructure development and wildlife conservation in India’s environmental policy landscape. The decision reflects a cautious approach to ensure that developmental initiatives align with wildlife protection mandates, particularly in ecologically sensitive zones. Moving forward, stakeholders anticipate that the Gujarat High Court’s directive will influence policy decisions regarding railway infrastructure expansion across wildlife habitats, setting a precedent for regulatory oversight in similar environmental contexts nationwide.
