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SC Directs MoEFCC Nationwide Survey on Elephant Corridors, Bans Fireballs and Spikes

EnvironmentPolityCORE
Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
17 Aug 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:August 17, 2026Six weeksCJI Surya KantJustices Joymalya Bagchi, V. MohanaAugust 1, 2018December 4, 2018
Bodies:Supreme CourtMinistry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)West Bengal Forest Department
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What This Article Covers

1.Supreme Court orders MoEFCC to survey all elephant corridors across India within six weeks and submit a comprehensive report on obstructions.

2.Court bans use of fireballs, mashaals, and sharp metal rods against elephants, calling them 'cruel and barbaric', and directs states to implement alternative measures.

3.West Bengal's practice of using 'Hulla' parties—local youth armed with burning mashaals and spikes—to chase elephants is specifically flagged as contempt of earlier court orders from 2018.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Supreme Court has prohibited states from constructing obstacles in elephant corridors and directed the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to conduct a nationwide survey to identify blockades. The Court also barred the use of fireballs, mashaals (torches), and spikes against elephants, specifically citing the practice in West Bengal where 'Hulla' parties chase elephants with burning spikes.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Date of JudgmentAugust 17, 2026
SC BenchCJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi & V. Mohana
Deadline for Survey ReportSix weeks from order date
Earlier SC OrdersAugust 1, 2018 & December 4, 2018 (ban on fireballs)
Incident ReferencedAugust 15, 2024 (Jhargram, West Bengal) & April 2023 (Kalaikunda)
Nodal MinistryMinistry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Date of Judgment: August 17, 2026
  • ›SC Bench: CJI Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi & V. Mohana
  • ›Target this Data: Survey report deadline: Six weeks from August 17, 2026
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
  • ›Target this Legal Point: SC orders of August 1, 2018 and December 4, 2018 banning fireballs against elephants

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry has been directed by the Supreme Court to conduct a nationwide survey of elephant corridors?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements:

1. The Supreme Court banned the use of fireballs and mashaals against elephants nationwide.

2. West Bengal's 'Hulla' parties are officially recognized forest department units.

3. The SC had previously issued orders in 2018 directing states to desist from using fireballs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the deadline given by the Supreme Court for the MoEFCC to submit its survey report on elephant corridors?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Supreme Court's directive to conduct a nationwide survey of elephant corridors?

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