A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stated that the retention of up to 38 deer at the AN Jha Deer Park would be permitted strictly subject to necessary approvals from the CZA, as recommended by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC). The court directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to upgrade infrastructure, logistics, and trained manpower to manage the reduced population effectively. It also specified that the retained deer must maintain an optimal sex ratio of 15 males to 23 females.
The bench emphasized that the 10-acre park must continue to be preserved as a “protected forest,” clearly stating that its status must not be altered under any circumstances in the future. The directions were issued during the hearing of a plea filed by the NGO New Delhi Nature Society, which had opposed the relocation of deer to Rajasthan’s Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve. To date, 260 deer have already been relocated.
Earlier, the court had assigned the CEC to inspect both the park and the relocation sites. The committee supported the translocation, citing the park’s limited capacity to sustain a large deer population. Highlighting animal welfare concerns, the bench observed that deer, being wildlife, should not be confined to restrictive enclosures except in exceptional and legally justified situations.
The CEC also noted that the CZA had withdrawn the park’s “mini-zoo” recognition due to repeated violations of zoo management norms, failure to regulate the deer population, and the expiry of its licence in August 2021. In November 2025, the Supreme Court had halted further translocation and instructed the CEC to assess critical factors, including the park’s carrying capacity and the condition of relocated animals.
Accepting the committee’s findings, the court observed that the park can “sustainably and humanely” accommodate only 38 spotted deer under existing norms. According to guidelines, a minimum of 1,500 square metres of enclosure space is required per pair of deer. With an estimated usable area of approximately 29,000 square metres, the park can support around 19 pairs.
The court directed that further translocation must be conducted in a time-bound manner, strictly adhering to prescribed rules and under CEC supervision. Authorities have been instructed to follow established protocols covering capture, veterinary care, transportation, acclimatisation, and post-release monitoring.
The CEC report warned that deer raised in controlled environments may face challenges adapting to open forest ecosystems, making abrupt relocation potentially harmful. Taking note of deficiencies in the existing legal framework governing wildlife translocation, the court directed the Union Environment Ministry to review the CEC’s draft guidelines within six months and submit a compliance report.
“These guidelines deserve to be, and shall be, imparted statutory status,” the bench stated, listing the matter for further monitoring on January 19 next year. The ruling underscores the judiciary’s focus on balancing ecological sustainability, animal welfare, and regulatory compliance in urban wildlife management.
About The Author
Comment List