Take Steps For Updating Status Of Conservation Of Tiger & Associated Species In Teral Arc Landscape: Uttarakhand High Court To State

Observing that the state should adopt suggestions for protection of Tigers, the Uttarakhand High Court has observed that the steps should be taken for updating the status of the Conservation of Tiger and Associated Species in the Terai Arc Landscape.

The bench of Chief Justice Vipin Sanghi and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal said, “ The State should take steps for updating the status of the Conservation of Tiger and Associated Species in the Terai Arc Landscape, India. The status with regard to the preparation of the Tiger Conservation Plan vis-à-vis Rajaji Tiger Reserved be also indicated in the affidavit to be filed by the State, before the next date.”

These observations came in response to the PIL filed by Anu Pant through Advocate Abhijay Negi, seeking directions to the Authorities to take effective measures for protection of people and property while balancing leopard conservation in a non-lethal manner. The PIL also seeks directions to the State to provide toll-free helplines for immediate health facilities and compensation for the victims of wild animal attacks.

Advocate Abhijay Negi, made suggestions for further improving the management of man-animal conflict in the State. He highlighted to the Court the best practices adopted by Anamalai, Sariska and Dudwas Tiger Reserves.

The Court noted that Negi also drew the attention to user-friendly websites of different states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala on which incidents of man and wildlife conflict are accessible without filing an application under the Right to Information Act.

On the other hand R.K. Sudhanshu, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change submitted that man- animal conflict in the State over the past one year has gone down by 61%. He further states that, in fact, the number of big cats, i.e. leopards and tigers in the State is far in excess of those in other States.

“Improvement is an ongoing process, and the State is improving its systems by introducing new measures all the time,” he added.

Negi also submitted that Conservation Status of Tiger and Associated Species in the Terai Arc Landscape, India, was prepared by the State in 2014 and State should consider updating the same.

Considering the suggestions made on the behalf of the petitioner, the Court said, “ The material placed forth by the petitioner along with the supplementary rejoinder- affidavit, should be examined by the State in the said light, and good suggestions emerging therefrom should be seriously considered and adopted by the State. The State should take steps for updating the status of the Conservation of Tiger and Associated Species in the Terai Arc Landscape, India.”

While listing the matter for December 20, the Court directed the State to state the status with regard to the preparation of the Tiger Conservation Plan vis-à-vis Rajaji Tiger Reserved.

Case Title: Case Title: Anu Pant v. State of Uttarakhand & another

Counsel for petitioner: Abhijay Negi.

C.S. Rawat, Chief Standing Counsel assisted by Gajendra Tripathi, Brief Holder for the State.

Click here to download/read the order.