Jharkhand High Court Dissatisfied With Steps Taken By State Govt To Increase Fauna In Forests

The Jharkhand High Court recently expressed dismay over with the State over its unsatisfactory response in an ongoing suo moto PIL on the 'pathetic situation' of wildlife sanctuaries and reserves and declining number of wildlife animals in the forests of the State.

On perusing the affidavit submitted by the State on the action plan for increasing fauna in the forests of the State, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Ravi Ranjan and Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad observed,

"We are not satisfied with the aforesaid affidavit because this Court has taken suo moto cognizance of the matter in the month of September, 2021 but even after lapse of about more than three months, no concrete steps have been shown to be taken by the Forest Department of the State of Jharkhand."

The Court took the view that the steps to reclaim the fauna, which is required to be taken by the functionaries of the Forest Department of the State, are not being taken. It remarked that fauna is necessary to maintain the ecological balance and sustainable development.

On the request of the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest [PCC] for two weeks to show the work done on the field, the High Court adjourned the matter. It also directed the PCC to apprise the Court what step is taken to reclaim the fauna, even by procuring it from neighboring states. 

"We are not passing any further order against the non-action on the part of the Forest officials, rather we are adjourning the matter for two weeks so that on the next date of hearing the vision document and the reference of the availability of village in the area falling in the forest reserve of the State, be brought on record."

The matter was posted on February 04, 2022

Case Title: Court on its motion v. The State of Jharkhand & Ors.

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