JUSTICE DEEPAK VERMA COMMITTEE - POLITY
News: Committee
to oversee transfer and import of captive wild animals: SC
What's in the news?
● The
Supreme Court has expanded the authority and jurisdiction of the Deepak Verma
Committee.
● Before,
the committee's powers were only limited to Tripura and Gujarat, but now it has
been extended to cover the whole of
India.
Key takeaways:
● The
Supreme Court has increased the jurisdiction and powers of a high-powered
committee led by its former judge, Justice Deepak Verma, to conduct necessary checks and undertake
fact-finding exercises concerning the import, transfer, procurement, rescue and
rehabilitation of wild animals, including those in captivity, across India.
● The
Court said that the Chief Wildlife
Wardens of the States would now be added to the committee as members. All
current and future complaints regarding the matter would be investigated by the
committee.
● The
Committee may also consider requests for approval, disagreements, or complaints
relating to the transfer or import of wild animals into India, the acquisition
of those animals by any rescue or rehabilitation facility, or the welfare of
those animals by zoos, with the assistance and cooperation of all departments
and authorities throughout India.
● The
committee will be free to suggest
transferring ownership of captive animals or seized wild animals to any
willing rescue center or zoo for their urgent welfare, treatment, and
rehabilitation.
Major Issues Related to Captive Wild Animals in India:
● Lack
of Adequate Facilities
● Illegal
Trade
● Inadequate
Rehabilitation.