Supreme Court Halts Dam Construction in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary

The Supreme Court intervened in a case regarding the construction of four dams within Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary in Haryana.

Judicial Intervention:

• A bench comprising justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta issued notices to relevant authorities, including the Centre and the Haryana government.
• The court expressed concerns about the negative impacts on wildlife, population, and ecosystem within Kalesar due to dam construction.
• It ordered a halt on dam construction until further orders from the court.

Petitioner’s Argument:

• Advocate Gaurav Bansal, representing the petitioner, highlighted the adverse effects on flora and fauna.
• Bansal cited a report from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which opposed the need for such dams within the sanctuary.
• The report emphasized the significant impact on biodiversity, both terrestrial and aquatic, within the protected area.

Official Concerns:

• Bansal referred to correspondence from the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden of Haryana.
• The official letter underscored the disruption of habitat patterns for various species due to dam construction.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs):

1. What action did the Supreme Court take regarding the construction of dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary?
   • A) Issued notices to the relevant authorities
   • B) Approved the construction of dams
   • C) Directed immediate construction of dams
   • D) None of the above
   • Answer: A) Issued notices to the relevant authorities
2. What was the Supreme Court’s concern regarding dam construction in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary?
   • A) Impact on human population only
   • B) Negative effect on ecosystem and wildlife
   • C) Fulfillment of the proposed dams’ purpose
   • D) Economic benefits to the region
   • Answer: B) Negative effect on ecosystem and wildlife
3. Who filed the plea against the construction of dams in Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary?
   • A) Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
   • B) Haryana government
   • C) Advocate Gaurav Bansal
   • D) Supreme Court justices
   • Answer: C) Advocate Gaurav Bansal
4. Which report opposed the need for dams within Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary?
   • A) National Board for Wild Life report
   • B) Wildlife Institute of India (WII) report
   • C) Principal chief conservator of forests report
   • D) Supreme Court’s findings
   • Answer: B) Wildlife Institute of India (WII) report
5. What concern did the principal chief conservator of forests and chief wildlife warden of Haryana raise regarding dam construction?
   • A) Economic impact
   • B) Potential flooding
   • C) Disruption of habitat patterns
   • D) Soil erosion
   • Answer: C) Disruption of habitat patterns