SC halts relocation from Deer Park, orders survey

The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered an independent, on-ground survey of Delhi's AN Jha Deer Park in Hauz Khas, flagging overcrowding of deer, chronic resource constraints and persistent managerial lapses in the 10.97-acre captive enclosure.The court also barred the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) from carrying out any further deer translocation or hosting "any commercial events, private parties or non-conservation activities" in the park's ecological zone and buffer.

- Utkarsh Anand

The panel will count the current deer stock and assess the park's ecological carrying capacity.

(SANJEEV VERMA/HT PHOTO)

A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said a "scientifically grounded evaluation was imperative", citing a lack of reliable records on the current deer population, the number already moved to release sites, their survival status, and the ecological readiness for future relocation.

The court has now tasked the central empowered committee (CEC), functioning under the Environment (Protection) Act, to conduct the survey and submit a report within eight weeks. The panel will count the current deer stock, assess the park's ecological carrying capacity, determine "the maximum number of deer that can be sustainably retained", inspect release sites at the Ramgarh Vishdhari and Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserves, and draft a roadmap for any future translocation.