Calcutta HC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Unnatural Deaths Of Elephants, Bisons Etc [Read Order]

A Division Bench comprising of Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice Subhasis Dasgupta opined that it is time for the judiciary to have a

look at matters touching the safety of the jungle habitat and the forests, having particular regard to the interest of the wildlife in the form of animals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, etc. as well as the flora and fauna including the preservation of forest wealth.

The Bench stated that different news reports in the print media, also through online editions, have brought to light that unnatural deaths of elephants are repeatedly happening in different parts of North Bengal.

The Court asserted that while there could be reasons attributable to behaviour of animals in the jungles, the possibility of electrocution and killing for gain or game cannot be ruled out.

The killing of bison and the consequential action taken by the departments concerned has also been reported by the national dailies, added the Bench.

The Bench stated that for the time being, initially, they were inclined to look into the wildlife management situation in the Buxa Tiger Reserve and Jaldapara National Park in Alipurduar district, Gorumara National Park, Binnaguri in Jalpaiguri District.

The Justices highlighted the critically important areas as primarily Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts where more than 60 per cent of the deaths of elephants is apparently attributable to electrocution.

The Bench was of the view that alongside the risk to animal life in the forests when they come in conflict with the movement of trains also needs to be considered.

The Court further added that railway administration's modality of protective intrusion into the forest area also deserves to be considered.

The Bench directed the Chief Wildlife Warden, West Bengal to place a short report on the situation as of now in the aforementioned areas as well as other areas which according to him are critically important and facing serious challenges in wildlife management within a period of two weeks.

The Court has impleaded Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of West Bengal and Ors. as respondent in this matter.

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