DDA proposes to retain 24 deer in Deer Park at Hauz Khas, tells HC it will seek approval
The submission was made in a petition by New Delhi Nature Society challenging a June 8, 2023, order of the CZA cancelling A N Jha Deer Park’s recognition as a ‘mini-zoo’
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The HC, in its December 6, 2023 order, had “prima facie” observed that at least 50 deer should be retained so that “small children of this city get to see them”. (File)The Delhi High Court was informed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Friday that it proposes to retain around 24 deer in the city’s A N Jha Deer Park located in Hauz Khas, and will apply for necessary approvals with the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).
The submission was made in a petition by New Delhi Nature Society challenging a June 8, 2023, order of the CZA cancelling A N Jha Deer Park’s recognition as a ‘mini-zoo’. The area falls under the DDA’s jurisdiction. The CZA had further approved to shift 600 deer from the Deer Park to a forest in Rajasthan and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi in a ratio of 70:30.
On Friday, the DDA submitted in its affidavit before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, “The vice-chairman, being the competent authority, has approved the proposal of retaining some deer at the zoo, after taking necessary approval from the CZA… DDA shall move the CZA for necessary approval and the compliance would be made as per requirement of CZA guidelines.”
The authority further said, “DDA will retain about two dozen deer in Deer Park, subject to renewal of the recognition of the mini zoo status of the AN Jha mini zoo by CZA. The remaining deer can be transferred to the neighbouring state’s forest areas as per an earlier decision on the subject. DDA will move the CZA for necessary approval and renewal of the recognition.”
Observing that a “balance has been struck”, the bench disposed of the plea after noting that the petitioner’s counsel was “satisfied” with the DDA’s affidavit.
“DDA is at liberty to act in accordance with its affidavit,” the bench said.
The petitioner’s counsel submitted that there should be compliance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines for reintroduction and other conservation translocations. To this, the bench orally said, “Let the CZA take care of this. I’m sure they will do their job.”
The HC, in its December 6, 2023 order, had “prima facie” observed that at least 50 deer should be retained so that “small children of this city get to see them”. The HC had then asked the authorities to consider relocating the excess population of deer in forests and green areas of Delhi.
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