Delhi's Deer Park de-recognised as 'mini zoo', deer to be shifted out

Delhi is set to lose its famous Deer Park with central authorities cancelling its recognition as a 'mini zoo' and deciding to translocate animals due to ir rapidly increasing numbers and inequate manpower.

An order to this effect was recently issued by Central Zoo Authority (CZA), a statutory body under Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, officials said on Tuesday.

"Six deer were introduced in park in 1960s and over time, number swelled to approximately 600. It h been given status of a 'mini zoo' by CZA," a senior official said.

park, officially known as A N Jha Deer Park, in south Delhi's Hauz Khas area is a popular picnic spot and a popular hangout zone. It comes under jurisdiction of Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

A senior official of DDA said, park's premises will remain open to visitors, as it was earlier. CZA issued order cancelling Deer Park's recognition as a 'mini zoo' on June 8.

"Rapid growth of population, inbreeding, possibility of spre of disease and lack of trained manpower to maintain mini zoo led to decision," an official source said.

Now, forest departments of Rajasthan and Delhi shall take furr action for translocation of deer, according to source.

" Deer Park is a protected forest area and after deer are shifted, it shall be maintained as a protected forest," source said.

According to CZA's order, "A meeting under chairmanship of Dr. Sanjay Kumar Shukla, Member Secretary, Central Zoo Authority was held on January 30, 2023, to deliberate on proposal -- 'Shifting of deer and cancellation of recognition of A N Jha Deer Park'." It was suggested that "since only about 600 animals are stated to be housed in said zoo, upon cancellation, captive animals shall be released in natural habitat of state of Rajasthan and National Capital Territory of Delhi in ratio 70 per cent and 30 per cent respectively", order stated.

release shall comply with extant statutory provisions and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) guidelines for re-introduction and or conservation translocations, it said.

A senior official of CZA said it was assured by authorities that park will continue to "remain a green belt" and that it won't be used for any construction activities.

He ded that before being shifted into forest areas, deer will be "quarantined" and only after it has been ascertained that y do not carry any disease, y will be moved re.