Supreme Court orders audit of Hauz Khas deer park; flags violations during shifting of 261 deer to Rajasthan

The Supreme Court recently ordered an independent, scientific audit of the translocation of deer from Delhi’s Hauz Khas deer park after finding that crucial safeguards had not been followed during the shifting of 261 deer to two wildlife reserves in Rajasthan [New Delhi Nature Society vs. Director Horticulture DDA & Ors.].

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta said that the material before it revealed continuing mismanagement at the deer park, repeated regulatory warnings, and allegations that many of the animals were transported or released in violation of scientific norms governing wildlife translocation.

The case originated in 2023 when a Delhi-based environmental organisation challenged the Delhi Development Authority’s (DDA) proposal to move the entire deer population, estimated between 350 and 600, from the park to wildlife sanctuaries in Rajasthan and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Delhi.

The High Court had disposed of the plea in 2024 after the DDA agreed to retain a small number of deer at the park, prompting the petitioner to approach the Supreme Court.

During the appeal, the apex court was informed that 261 deer had already been shifted.

During earlier hearings, the Court had expressed concern after the petitioner alleged that several of the translocated animals may not have survived. The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) was then directed to inspect the release sites in Rajasthan and report back. The petitioner was also allowed to send a representative to the inspections.

The petitioner subsequently informed the Court that serious irregularities had surfaced during these inspections. It alleged that deer were being crammed into trucks, transported without veterinary care, and released in predator-heavy tiger reserves without food or water. It said that of the 261 deer said to be sent, far fewer were visible on site, and no tracking tags were used to monitor their survival.

After reviewing the inspection records, the Court said that there were serious uncertainties regarding how many deer were actually moved, how many survived, and whether the DDA had followed the mandatory scientific steps required before, during, and after such transfers.

It recorded concerns that the authorities may have moved pregnant deer, juveniles, and antlered males, transported large numbers in single trucks, and failed to tag, microchip, or track the animals after release.

The judges also expressed concern over captive-bred deer being released in tiger-bearing areas without evidence that they could survive in the wild. The Court referred to photographic evidence and reports indicating that deer had been tied and possibly used as live bait.

The Bench said that the allegations of starvation, false population records, and misuse of funds at the park also needed independent verification.

Given these gaps, the Court ordered the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), a statutory expert panel under the Environment (Protection) Act, to conduct a detailed inspection of both the Deer Park and the Rajasthan reserves.

The CEC must submit two separate reports within eight weeks - one assessing the current deer population, carrying capacity and welfare conditions at Hauz Khas, and another evaluating habitat suitability and survival at the relocation sites.

The Court further asked the CEC to draft a roadmap for any future translocation, including tagging, transport, veterinary care and post-release monitoring.

Until the reports are received, no additional deer can be moved from Hauz Khas. The Court also barred DDA from using the park for private or commercial events, directing it instead to run educational and nature outreach programmes.

The judges emphasised that the case highlighted a larger failure in urban ecological governance.

“Wildlife management cannot be approached as a matter of administrative convenience. It must be anchored in scientific assessment, ecological prudence, and fidelity to constitutional values,” the Court said.

The matter will next be heard on March 17, 2026 when the CEC and DDA reports will be reviewed.

[Read Judgement]