Madurai Bench seeks report on PIL for power lines passing through Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary
Chennai, June 16
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court directed the State to file a report on a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the authorities to replace the 'bare overhead wires' with 'bunched insulated cables' or 'underground wires' or to install 'protective casings' on power lines passing through Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary located in Dindigul and Karur districts.
A Division Bench comprising Justices N Sathish Kumar and M Jothiraman on Monday was hearing a public interest litigation petition filed by K Pushpavanam of Madurai. The petitioner sought a direction to the authorities to construct dedicated artificial canopy bridges across fragmented road networks in and around the Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary to facilitate the safe movement of the arboreal species.
The petitioner submitted that he had come across a report published in The Hindu about a Slender Loris being electrocuted after coming into contact with a power line in Dindigul district. He pointed out that environmental activists had stressed the need to install insulated cables or protective casings on overhead power lines within and around the sanctuary.
According to the activists, such measures constitute the only long-term solution to prevent the electrocution of Slender Lorises and ensure their conservation.
The petitioner also sought a direction to the authorities to install cautionary signboards to alert motorists traversing areas that form part of the Slender Loris habitat in Dindigul and Karur districts. Further, he requested that systematic pruning of tree branches be undertaken only in cases where they pose a risk by coming into dangerous proximity to power lines.
He contended that Article 48A of the Constitution casts a duty on the State to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the country's forests and wildlife.
After hearing the submissions, the Bench directed the State to file a report and adjourned the matter to June 22 for further hearing.
— ANI
Reader Comments
I'm all for wildlife conservation, but we also need to think about the cost. Underground wires and insulated cables are expensive, and taxpayers will foot the bill. Maybe there's a middle ground - protective casings on existing wires would be cheaper and still save the lorises. Just saying... 🤔
This is exactly the kind of proactive judicial oversight we need. Article 48A isn't just a decorative clause - it means the State must act. The idea of artificial canopy bridges is brilliant! 🐒 Lorises need safe corridors to move between trees. Hope the court makes the government implement all these recommendations.
It's impressive to see Indian courts taking environmental issues so seriously. In many countries, such petitions would be dismissed as frivolous. The canopy bridges and insulated cables make perfect sense - small changes that can save an entire species. Well done, Madras High Court! 👏
I appreciate the concern for slender lorises, but what about the thousands of birds and squirrels that get electrocuted on power lines across India every day? This should be a nationwide policy, not just for one sanctuary. The TN government should use this case as a pilot project and then scale up everywhere. 🇮🇳
The signboards for motorists are a simple but genius idea! Many accidents and deaths happen because people simply don't know they're passing through a wildlife habitat. Also, pruning tree branches near power lines should be done by trained arborists, not just any worker with a saw. Common sense solutions! 🚸
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