The Supreme Court on Monday disposed of a plea seeking removal of the invasive Vilayati Babool (Prosopis juliflora) from the Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh, directing the competent authorities to examine the representation and take a time-bound decision.
The petitioner contended that the invasive species had spread across nearly 80% of the sanctuary’s terrestrial area and relied on Forest Department reports recommending its phased removal and replacement with native species. Observing that the issue required expert evaluation rather than judicial determination, the Bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana said:
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“We dispose of today’s matter directing Respondents 2 and 3 to examine the issue and take a holistic view. Because this is basically a kind of domain experts’ issue. It is hardly a legal issue. It is more a decision for the experts to decide what is beneficial and what is not. So let them take a final decision and make it time-bound.”
The Court also observed that while the invasive species may require removal in some areas, in certain arid regions it serves as the only source of greenery. It therefore left the final decision to the expert authorities, clarifying that earlier orders of the Supreme Court should not stand in the way of a decision being taken on the merits