Supreme Court Intervenes in Controversial Deer Relocation
The Supreme Court of India has put an immediate stop to the translocation of deer from Delhi's Deer Park to Rajasthan after discovering disturbing evidence of negligence and cruel handling practices. On Wednesday, a bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued a stay order preventing any further movement of animals.
The court expressed serious concerns about the methods used during the relocation process, particularly noting that deer were transported in severely overcrowded trucks without proper safety measures. This decision came during hearing a petition filed by the NGO New Delhi Nature Society, which highlighted the risks faced by approximately 600 deer scheduled for relocation.
Systematic Failures in Wildlife Management
The bench didn't mince words when describing the condition of Deer Park, managed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The court observed that the park has been suffering from "chronic managerial deficiencies" for several years, despite its significant historical and ecological importance.
According to the court's findings, the park has been operating well below the statutory standards established under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and the National Zoo Policy. The translocation itself was conducted in clear violation of established laws and guidelines governing wildlife relocation.
Shockingly, the court noted the complete absence of documentary evidence for several critical pre-translocation procedures, including genetic screening, tagging, tranquilisation protocols, veterinary fitness certification, and behavioral acclimatization. All these are internationally recognized prerequisites for animal relocation.
Disturbing Relocation Practices Uncovered
The photographic and field evidence presented to the court painted a grim picture of the relocation process. Deer were loaded into overcrowded trucks, sometimes in groups of 40-50 animals, without adequate ventilation, padding, or proper segregation between animals.
In one particularly alarming instance, a blue rope used to tie a deer's limbs was reportedly recovered from the relocation site, raising serious questions about the use of excessive force and the complete absence of ethical handling procedures.
The court also highlighted that no scientific assessment was conducted regarding the carrying capacity of the recipient sanctuaries in Rajasthan - the Ramgarh Vishdhari and Mukundra Hills tiger reserves. There was no study of predator-prey dynamics or the potential ecological impact of introducing semi-captive deer into these ecosystems.
Making matters worse, many of the translocated deer were zoo-bred, with some reportedly pregnant or juvenile, and were moved to tiger-bearing sanctuaries without any indication of whether they possessed necessary survival skills or ecological fitness.
Comprehensive Investigation Ordered
The Supreme Court has directed the central-empowered committee (CEC) to conduct a thorough study of conditions at both the Deer Park and the Rajasthan reserves where the animals were relocated. The CEC has been tasked with determining several critical facts:
- The current number of deer remaining at Deer Park
- The exact number of deer already translocated
- How many of the relocated deer have survived
- The ecological viability of any future translocation efforts
The court also noted the complete absence of tracking mechanisms such as telemetry collars, radio chips, or post-release surveys to monitor the well-being and survival of the released animals.
Additionally, the Delhi Development Authority has been given eight weeks to submit a detailed report about the past and current status of land formerly designated for deer enclosures.
This case emerged after the Central Zoo Authority decided to withdraw the AN Jha Deer Park's recognition as a mini-zoo, prompting authorities to plan the large-scale relocation. The Supreme Court's intervention now ensures that no further translocations will occur until proper procedures and ethical standards are established and followed.
