Supreme Court Clears UP's Rs 1,500-Crore Kukrail Night Safari Project
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · IR
Why in news
The Supreme Court has cleared the Uttar Pradesh government's Rs 1,500-crore Kukrail Night Safari project, which aims to be India's first urban night safari. This decision is significant as it involves environmental clearance for a large-scale tourism project in a reserve forest.
Background
The Kukrail Reserve Forest is a 5,000-hectare protected area in Uttar Pradesh. The night safari project was proposed to boost tourism and conservation awareness, but faced legal challenges over environmental concerns.
Key facts
The project is India's first urban night safari, located in the Kukrail Reserve Forest.
The total cost is about Rs 1,500 crore.
The project is divided into two phases.
The reserve forest spans 5,000 hectares.
The Supreme Court cleared the project, allowing it to proceed.
Prelims pointers
- Kukrail Reserve Forest: located in Uttar Pradesh
- Night Safari: first urban night safari in India
- Supreme Court: apex judicial body
Mains angles
- GS3 Environment: Assess the balance between tourism development and forest conservation.
- GS2 Polity: Role of judiciary in environmental clearances and public interest litigation.