Supreme Court Panel Recommends Major Deer Translocation from Delhi Park
The Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has issued a significant recommendation concerning the overcrowded deer population at Hauz Khas Deer Park in New Delhi. In a detailed report dated March 6, the committee has advised that only 38 spotted deer should be retained within the park's existing enclosure, with the remaining population—currently exceeding 350 animals—to be translocated to Rajasthan in a carefully managed, phased manner.
Scientific Assessment Reveals Severe Overcrowding
The CEC conducted a thorough scientific assessment of the park's carrying capacity, examining the Guidelines for Establishment and Scientific Management of Zoos in India from 2008. These guidelines prescribe a minimum outdoor enclosure area of 1,500 square meters per pair of spotted deer. After evaluating the park's total enclosure area of approximately 10.26 acres (around 41,500 square meters) and accounting for about 70% as net usable open space, the committee determined the available usable area to be roughly 29,000 square meters.
This calculation led to the conclusion that the enclosure can sustainably and humanely accommodate only 38 deer, with an optimal sex ratio of 15 males to 23 females. The current population substantially exceeds this scientifically assessed capacity, raising serious concerns regarding animal welfare, habitat sustainability, and long-term population management.
Ecological Stress and Habitat Deterioration
The committee's report highlighted multiple signs of ecological stress within the deer enclosure. Observations included significant overgrazing, soil compaction, and deterioration of ground vegetation—all direct consequences of the excessive deer population. To address these issues, the CEC recommended several habitat enrichment measures, including the planting of native grass species, restoration of water bodies and lakes within the park, and repairs to damaged fencing and night shelters.
"Conservation science and contemporary wildlife management recognise translocation and prey augmentation as legitimate and widely accepted tools, particularly where such interventions are directed towards restoration of ecological balance," the report stated, emphasizing the scientific basis for the translocation recommendation.
Previous Translocations and Future Plans
The report noted that 261 deer had already been successfully shifted to the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan between 2023 and 2025. However, the committee acknowledged a limitation: in the absence of individual identification measures such as ear tags, collars, or other permanent markings at the time of release, the precise survival rate of these translocated deer could not be accurately ascertained.
In a related development, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) had withdrawn the park's mini zoo recognition in 2023 and approved the translocation of nearly 600 deer. This decision was subsequently challenged in the Supreme Court, which will now take the final call based on the CEC's recommendations. The committee has also suggested that the CZA restore the park's status as a mini zoo following the implementation of these measures.
Historical Context and Population Growth
The Hauz Khas Deer Park was established in 1968 with just six deer brought from Uttarakhand. Over the decades, the population expanded significantly, leading to the current overcrowding crisis. The CEC's recommendations aim to address this long-standing issue through scientifically grounded wildlife management practices, balancing ecological restoration with animal welfare considerations.
