Court orders release of 3 snakes

Delhi government told to ensure adequate staffing levels and tools for wildlife department

Acourt here has ordered the release of three snakes, rescued from two men, into their natural habitat and also directed the Delhi government to ensure adequate staffing levels and equipment at the ‘understaffed’ wildlife department.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Singh Rajawat directed the release of the three snakes — Indian Cobra, Dhaman/Rat snake and Sand Boa — into Asola Wildlife Sanctuary.

The reptiles, after being seized from the accused, were kept in the Delhi Zoo.

The court remanded the accused — Beeja Nath and Shekpal Nath — to 14 days in judicial custody.

Compliance report

It directed the environment secretary of Delhi government to ensure adequate staffing levels at the wildlife department. It also asked the government to make available to the officials, the equipment needed for protection of wildlife.

It noted that similar orders had already been issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

The NGT had in December 2015 directed appropriate enhancement in the strength of the forest department and provision of proper infrastructure, including such gadgets that would help the officials to discharge their duties and functions.

The court has also asked the environment secretary to place before it the compliance report within two months.

Environment lawyer Aditya N. Prasad had submitted before the court that, time and again, it had been observed that the wildlife department under the Delhi Government was understaffed, and apart from two wildlife inspectors, no other officials/staffs were available to trace and protect wildlife in Delhi.