SC: Deer Park needs Centre nod to remain 'mini-zoo', keep 38 deer

The Supreme Court on Monday held that Deer Park in south Delhi will require approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to continue as a “mini zoo” with a restricted deer strength of just 38, paving way for the translocation of the remaining deer population to two tiger reserves in Rajasthan.

- Abraham Thomas

‘A bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said: “It is directed that retention of up to 38 deer at AN Jha Deer Park as recommended by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) shall be permissible only subject to the grant of requisite approvals by CZA.”

The court further directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to ensure that it upgrades the necessary logistical capacity, infrastructure, and adequately trained human resources for the upkeep and management of the reduced deer population. “DDA shall ensure that the retained population has an optimal sex ratio of 15 males to 23 females,” the court said.

The court directed that the park, spread across 10 acres, be maintained as a “protected forest” and stressed, “Under no circumstances shall the nature or status of the said area be altered, and the same shall continue to be maintained as a protected forest at all times in the future.”