On May 16, the Supreme Court directed the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to inspect the condition of 261 deer that were relocated from Hauz Khas Deer Park in Delhi to various places in Rajasthan. The court asked the officers to visit the sites and assess how the deer are doing after the transfer.
A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan was informed that out of the proposed 600 deer to be moved, 261 have already been shifted. The Court ordered, “We direct the officers of the Central Zoo Authority to immediately visit the place or places where 261 deer have transferred and ascertain the present condition of the said deer.”
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The issue arose after a petition by the NGO New Delhi Nature Society, which expressed concerns over the relocation of nearly 600 deer without proper checks. The plea stated that the deer were being moved without adequate habitat evaluation, veterinary care, or safety measures for vulnerable animals such as pregnant deer and fawns.
According to the petition, three batches of deer had already been hurriedly relocated to sanctuaries in Rajasthan, allegedly violating wildlife protection laws. The petitioner’s lawyer claimed, “There is not a single deer left in three deer packs transferred to Mukundra Tiger Reserve and Gumnamwadi, as they were consumed immediately by the predators.” It was also reported that the relocation has caused problems for local people as predators have begun attacking humans.
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On the other hand, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) counsel argued that the Rajasthan Forest Department reported a 98 percent survival rate after the enclosures were opened for the deer.
Considering these submissions, the Supreme Court ordered the CZA officials to promptly inspect the deer’s condition. The Court further instructed that the petitioner be given advance notice of the visit to allow their representative to be present during the inspection.
The Central Zoo Authority must submit a report on the deer’s condition within two weeks. The Court added, “In the event it is found that either the deer are not surviving or they are in poor condition, we grant liberty to the petitioner to move this court by filing appropriate application.”
Moreover, the Court directed the DDA’s Horticulture Director to consider the petitioner’s suggestion to move the deer to a new deer park planned in Noida and respond within six weeks.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 18.
Earlier, on April 30, the Supreme Court had stopped the Delhi Development Authority and other authorities from moving the remaining deer from Hauz Khas Deer Park to forests in other states. This interim order restraining further relocation will remain in force until further orders.
Case no. – SLP(C) No. 13374-13375/2025 Diary No. 20272 / 2025
Case Title – New Delhi Nature Society v. Director Horticulture
