"Wildfires a serious issue and in the meantime, pray for rain": Supreme Court on plea seeking urgent steps to protect wildlife in Uttarakhand

Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on June 24 a plea seeking urgent steps to protect forests, wildlife and birds from wildfires in Uttarakhand, saying "it is a serious issue and in meantime, pray for rain".

A vacation bench of justices Deepak Gupta and Surya Kant listed matter for June 24 after petitioner, vocate Rituparn Uniyal, sought urgent listing of matter.

"We are listing petition for Monday (June 24). It's a serious issue and in meantime, you pray for rain," bench observed.

Rituparn Uniyal moved apex court last Friday to seek urgent steps to protect forests, wildlife and birds from wildfires in Uttarakhand, saying forest blazes have increased over years and cause huge loss to environment.

petition sought directions to Centre, Uttarakhand government and principal chief conservator of forests in state to make pre-fire arrangements and frame a policy to prevent forest fires.

It also sought an investigation into matter by an independent ncy and directions to declare animal kingdom as legal entities having a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a living person.

"Forest fires in Uttarakhand have been a regular and historic feature. Every year, forest fires in Uttarakhand cause great loss to forest ecosystem, diversity of flora and fauna and ecomic wealth. Forest fire is one of major disasters in forests of Uttarakhand.

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"Despite a consistent history of forest fires, igrance, inactiveness, negligence and unreiness of respondents (Centre, state government and chief conservator of forests) have rendered a great loss to forests, wildlife and birds in Uttarakhand and thus, caused ecological imbalance," plea said.

It claimed that one of most prominent forest research centres of country was at Uttarakhand but authorities have t consulted institution for remedies to tackle wildfires.

"Uttarakhand has one of prominent forest research centres, that is Forest Research Institute, Dehrun. Surprisingly, respondents have never consulted institution for reasons and solutions of devastating forest fires in state. This clearly shows a lackaisical approach of respondents in tackling forest fires," it said.

plea furr said that forest and wildlife were most important natural resources and play a significant role in human life and environment.

"Forests are socially and environmentally inter-linked with people in hilly areas, and play an important role in ecomic welfare and development of region," it said.

plea claimed that authorities concerned have clue of how se fires took place and on ways to stop m and questioned training received by its officials.

It said two national parks -- Corbett National Park and Rajaji National Park -- were under threat because of se forest fires.

"One of major fallouts of wildfire was generation of ''black carbon''. Black carbon, which is created by incomplete combustion of any bio-matter and fossil fuels coats Himalayan glaciers in region. This makes glaciers attract more heat and melt faster causing floods in plains," it said.

plea ded that destruction of grasslands and lack of fodder for livestock in area was ar worry which was starting to haunt locals and villrs.

" loss of income from lack of tourism due to forest fires was ar pressing concern," it said.

Seeking legal rights for animals, petition said ''Life'' under Constitution meant something more than mere survival or existence or instrumental value for human beings, but to le a life with some intrinsic worth, hour or dignity.

"All animals have hour and dignity. Thus, in order to protect and promote greater welfare of animals, including avian and aquatic, animals are required to be conferred with status of legal entity/legal person," it said.