Supreme Court Petition Seeks Removal of Invasive ‘Vilayati Babul’ from Agra’s Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
A petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking urgent ecological restoration measures at Uttar Pradesh’s Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Agra, urging authorities to remove the invasive ‘Vilayati Babul’ (Prosopis juliflora) and replace it with native tree species. The plea argues that the unchecked spread of the alien species is degrading the sanctuary’s fragile ecosystem, threatening indigenous flora and diminishing habitat quality for migratory and resident bird populations.
The petitioner has sought directions to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Uttar Pradesh government and forest authorities to prepare and implement a scientific restoration plan. According to the plea, the sanctuary—recognised as a Ramsar wetland and home to hundreds of bird species—requires habitat restoration through phased removal of invasive vegetation and plantation of native species that support biodiversity and natural regeneration.
The petition relies on the Supreme Court’s recent environmental jurisprudence recognising the ecological harm caused by invasive alien species such as Prosopis juliflora. In earlier judgments, the Court observed that dense growth of such species should not be mistaken for a healthy forest ecosystem, as invasive plants often displace indigenous vegetation, reduce biodiversity and disrupt ecological balance. The Court emphasised that environmental management should prioritise the restoration of native species over preserving invasive monocultures.
The plea also comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts to expand the Soor Sarovar Bird Sanctuary. While the Uttar Pradesh government has initiated the sanctuary’s enlargement, the process has recently been delayed after the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) objected to the state’s notification declaring a “zero-kilometre” eco-sensitive zone, holding that only the Central Government is empowered to notify such zones under existing environmental laws.
Environmental experts have long warned that Vilayati Babul, introduced decades ago for afforestation in arid regions, has become one of India’s most aggressive invasive plant species. Its rapid spread suppresses native grasses and shrubs, alters soil conditions, affects groundwater recharge and reduces food sources for insects, birds and herbivorous wildlife. The petition argues that replacing these invasive trees with indigenous species would strengthen the sanctuary’s ecological resilience and improve habitat conditions for migratory birds.
The Supreme Court is expected to examine whether additional directions are required to ensure ecological restoration of the sanctuary. If entertained, the petition could have wider implications for the management of invasive alien species in protected forests and wetlands across the country, reinforcing the principle that conservation efforts should focus on restoring native ecosystems rather than merely increasing tree cover.
