The top court is worried that eight cheetahs have died in the last four months. It was hearing a matter related to cheetah deaths on Thursday.
Alternate venue suggested
The Supreme Court asked the Centre about the steps being taken to prevent the fall in their numbers. It also asked about the feasibility of translocating the felines to an appropriate habitat in Rajasthan.
According to the Hindustan Times, the Supreme Court asked the government why it is making a prestige issue regarding the cheetahs.
This matter came up in the Supreme Court after the government requested it should no longer be obligatory for the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) to seek advice from the expert committee appointed by the Supreme Court in 2020, according to India Today.
‘Why a prestige issue?’
A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court asked the Additional Solicitor General, “Two more deaths last week. Why is this becoming a prestige issue? Please take some positive steps. Also, why were they all put in one place instead of being spread?”
The ASG replied that the government is looking into these3 deaths.
The Supreme Court also said Project Cheetah doesn’t look good. Expressing concern over the cheetah deaths, the bench said, “40% of deaths occurring in less than a year does not give a good picture. Of 20 cheetahs, 8 have died.”
The ASG disagreed saying, “50% deaths on translocation is normal.”
Justice Pardiwala wanted to know the causes of these deaths. Is it an adverse climate or something else, he asked.
At this , the ASG replied that several cheetahs had infections.
The next hearing on the matter will be held on August 4.
So far, 20 cheetahs have been translocated to the Kuno National Park from various parts of southern Africa. There have been 8 cheetah deaths in the country, including the three cubs which were born here.
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