SC notice to Centre on PIL on tiger reserves

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Zee News

New Delhi 13 November 2006

SC notice to Centre on PIL on tiger reserves

 

New Delhi, Nov 13: The Supreme Court today sought response from the

Centre and the state governments on a PIL challenging the creation

of tiger reserves in the already existing national parks and

sanctuaries by bringing amendments in the Wildlife (Protection) Act.

 

A bench of Chief Justice Y K Sabharwal and Justice C K Thakker

issued notices to Ministry of Environment and Forests, Tiger

Conservation Authority and state governments on the allegation that

provisions incorporated in this regard diluted and repealed some of

the salutary provisions of the act.

 

The PIL filed jointly by NGOs, Bombay Natural History Society,

Wildlife protection Society of India, Wildlife First and

Conservation of Action Trust, has objected to inclusion of new

chapters, namely IV B and IV C, for the establishment of the

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the tiger and other

endangered species crime control bureau.

 

Advocate Raj Panjwani, appearing for the NGOs, contended that the

new additions in the legislation diluted the existing provisions,

which were specifically incorporated for the protection of the

wildlife and its habitat.

 

The PIL has challenged the government's September 4 notification for

constituting the NTCA.

 

The counsel contended that the creation of tiger reserves will take

away stringent conditions which are applicable in national parks and

sanctuaries for the protection of the wildlife and its habitat.

 

While contending that the new provisions in the act are ultra vires

of article 21 of the constitution, the NGOs submitted that the act

be allowed to be applicable to already existing sanctuaries and

national parks irrespective of such areas being notified as tiger

reserves with earlier provisions.

 

Bureau Report

 

 

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WILDLIFE PROTECTION SOCIETY OF INDIA (WPSI)

S-25 Panchsheel Park, New Delhi 110017, India

Tel: (Int+ 91.11) 4163.5920 & 4163.5921

Fax: (Int+ 91.11) 4163.5924

E-mail: wpsi

Website: www.wpsi-india.org

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