Why is it a prestige issue supreme court to government on cheetah deaths

Why is it a prestige issue supreme court to government on cheetah deaths

The death of eight cheetah in the Kuno National Park (KNP) in less than one year doesn’t present a “good picture”, the Supreme Court said on Thursday, and asked the Centre to not make it a prestige issue and explore the possibility of shifting the animals to different sanctuaries.

Under Project Cheetah, a total of 20 radio-collared animals were imported from Namibia and South Africa to the KNP and later four cubs were born from Namibian cheetah ‘Jwala’. Out of these 24 feline, eight including three cubs have died.

A bench of Justices BR Gavai, JB Pardiwala and Prashant Kumar Mishra, while voicing concern over the deaths of the feline, asked the Centre to file a detailed affidavit explaining the reasons and remedial measures taken.

“What is the problem? Isthe climate not suited or is there anything else. Eight deaths have happened out of 20 cheetah. Last week, there were two deaths. Why don’t you explore the possibility of transferring them to different sanctuaries? Why are you making it a prestige issue? Please take some positive steps. You should look for possibilities of transferring them to other sanctuaries irrespective of whatever state or government is instead of putting them at one place,” the bench told additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati, who was representing the Centre.

Bhati said the Centre was about to file an affidavit explaining the reasons for the death of the animals and sought an opportunity to submit a detailed affidavit describing the circumstances surrounding each cheetah death.

Thegovernment law officer also said the authorities are exploring all possibilities including transferring them to other sanctuaries.

“These eight deaths of cheetah are unfortunate but expected. There were several reasons behind these deaths,” the lawyer told the court. She said it was a prestigious project for the country and authorities are taking all necessary steps to prevent more deaths.

“If the project was so prestigious for the country, then 40 percent deaths of cheetah in less than a year does not present a good picture,” the bench said.

Senior advocate PC Sen presented some suggestions put forth by experts to prevent the cheetah deaths.

The bench asked PC Sen to submit the suggestions to Aishwarya Bhati and asked her to file a response by July 28-29, and listed the matter for August 1.