New Delhi, Aug. 17 -- The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Union government to undertake a fresh, nationwide survey of elephant corridors and file a comprehensive report detailing steps required to ensure that wildlife movement is not obstructed.

A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana made it clear that crop damage cannot be cited as a justification for creating barriers along elephant movement routes.

"We are very clear that there cannot be obstacles in the way of wildlife. Elephant herds have a practice of travelling long distances. No State can say that just because crops are getting destroyed, there have to be obstacles in their path," said CJI Kant.

The bench noted that although ...