Delhi High Court to Decide Fate of Deer Park's Zoo Recognition

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has announced plans to retain two dozen deer in Delhi's A N Jha Deer Park pending approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The remaining deer may be moved to neighboring forests. The Delhi High Court has disposed of a petition challenging the CZA's decision to cancel the park’s 'mini zoo' status.

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on Friday notified the Delhi High Court of its decision to retain two dozen deer in the city’s A N Jha Deer Park, pending approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA).

The DDA stated that the remaining deer will be transferred to neighboring state forest areas, with a proposal to renew the mini zoo status of Deer Park to be submitted to the CZA shortly.

A bench headed by Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela, after noting the DDA's position, dismissed a petition against the CZA's cancellation of the park's mini zoo recognition.

The DDA’s affidavit also revealed that its vice-chairman has sanctioned the proposal for keeping some deer in A N Jha Deer Park, following discussions with the lieutenant governor, who has endorsed the plan.

“It has been decided that DDA would retain some deer in the Deer Park, pending necessary CZA approvals and compliance with their guidelines,” the DDA confirmed, adding that the matter has also been orally discussed with the lieutenant governor, the chairman of the DDA.

“The DDA will retain about two dozen deer in Deer Park subject to the renewal of mini zoo status by the CZA. The remaining deer may be relocated to neighboring state forests,” the affidavit emphasized.

Additionally, the DDA sought the court's permission to resume the translocation of deer to manage overcrowding.

The popular A N Jha Deer Park in South Delhi's Hauz Khas area is under the DDA's jurisdiction.

The CZA had cancelled Deer Park’s mini zoo status on June 8 of the previous year.

Following the CZA's order, the court asked authorities to maintain the status quo regarding the translocation of deer.

The petitioner, New Delhi Nature Society, argued that the recognition was canceled due to a 'population explosion' of deer and requested the court direct the DDA to provide data on deer numbers.

The court subsequently asked the DDA to conduct a deer population census.

The petitioner suggested that the adjacent 65-hectare green area could be used for housing the deer.

In December 2023, the court suggested that the DDA retain at least 50 deer in the park and relocate any additional deer to DDA-controlled green areas or the Ridge.

Officials attributed the zoo license cancellation to rapid population growth, inbreeding concerns, potential disease spread, and insufficient trained personnel.

Deer were originally introduced to the park in the 1960s, with numbers now reaching approximately 600. Post-cancellation, Rajasthan and Delhi's forest departments will oversee further translocation of the deer.