Supreme Court Backs Deer Relocation Amid Overcrowding Crisis

The Supreme Court has backed the relocation of numerous spotted deer from Delhi's A N Jha Deer Park, aligning with scientific findings that the urban enclosure is unsustainable for its burgeoning population. The bench, led by Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, accepted the Central Empowered Committee's (CEC) assessment, mandating a "time-bound" translocation under strict scientific protocols and forthcoming national guidelines.

The court underscored that wildlife species should not be confined unless legally and ecologically justified. While permitting the retention of a limited number of deer, up to 38, subject to Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approval and infrastructure upgrades, the primary directive is for relocation. The A N Jha Deer Park itself must remain a protected forest area without alteration.

This decision follows a challenge against the translocation to wildlife reserves in Rajasthan. Earlier assessments by the CEC revealed the park's carrying capacity to be around 38 deer, with the population having grown exponentially due to mismanagement. The court also noted the park's previous loss of 'mini zoo' recognition due to non-compliance, making the large deer population legally untenable.

The CEC's report highlighted past translocation efforts as "unduly harsh" and inconsistent with scientific norms, stressing the need for acclimatization and proper monitoring. The Supreme Court endorsed recommendations for telemetry collars, "soft release" methods, and standardized national translocation protocols, which are expected to be finalized within six months. The next hearing is scheduled for January 19, 2027, to review compliance.