wildlife conservation - The Legal Chamber

The Supreme Court found prima facie violations of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, CZA norms, and IUCN translocation guidelines. It directed the Central Empowered Committee to conduct an independent scientific assessment of carrying capacity, post-release survival, and regulatory compliance. The Court prohibited further translocation pending expert evaluation, emphasizing constitutional duties under Articles 48A, 51A(g), and 21. Facts Of The Case: The A.N. Jha Deer Park, established in 1968 by the Delhi Development Authority in Hauz Khas, New Delhi, operated as a captive zoo facility under a license issued by the Central Zoo Authority under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. Despite repeated extensions and warnings, evaluation reports from 2014 to 2022 revealed persistent non-com...

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction under Sections 49-B and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 for illegal possession of tiger skins and animal parts, affirming the statutory presumption of guilt under Section 57. While noting investigation lapses, the Court reduced the sentence from 6 to 3 years' imprisonment considering the accused's youth and lack of direct poaching evidence, but imposed a Rs. 25,000 fine to deter wildlife crimes. The judgment balanced strict enforcement of wildlife laws with proportional sentencing. Facts Of The Case: The case stemmed from a CBI operation in March 2001 at a Nagpur petrol pump, where appellants Rajesh and Makbool Ahmed were caught with tiger skins, bones, claws, and antler horns in their car. Acting on a tip-off about illegal wildlife trade, t...

Tag: wildlife conservation

Conservation or Cruelty? Supreme Court Steps In to Save Delhi’s Deer From Faulty Relocation Plan

Supreme Court Cuts Jail Time for Tiger Skin Smugglers :Punishment for Animal Parts Smugglers