Jamnagar Zoo will probably be the pride of Gujarat: Chief Justice Aravind Kumar

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat High Court on Thursday, 21st July, questioned the PIL challenging the acquisition and transfer of animals to a private zoo, which is being developed by Reliance Industries Ltd and Green Zoological Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre Society.

According to the attorney for the petitioner Halar Utkarsh Samiti Trust, the permission was only given for a mini zoo and rescue centre for only leopards, but the zoo is on 171-hectare land whereas it should be on less than 100-hectare land.

Chief Justice Aravind Kumar, while correcting the advocate, said, “Sir, it (the zoo) is on 289 acres. It will probably be the pride of Gujarat, and you don’t want Gujarat to be developed?”

To which the advocate replied that his client’s interest is only limited to the welfare and wellbeing of animals. The norms which are enumerated under Zoo Rules 2009 shall not be flouted, he added.

The lawyer further submitted that as per rules, “the private entity has no right and authority to protect the ‘right to life of an animal, and it is the duty of the state.”

The lawyer further said, “why a private zoo is acquiring the animal housed at central and state zoo and it raises the question mark on the efficiency of the central and state zoos.

After hearing the argument, Chief Justice said, “asking for a writ saying that once they have established the centre, they should ensure that everything should be maintained properly and animals should be taken care of, seems a genuine cause.”

“But to say that ‘don’t open this, it is tainted. We will have to look into your conduct with coloured glass. Don’t do that,” Chief Justice added while adjourning the hearing till Monday.

DeshGujarat