Court orders release of rescued snakes

New Delhi: A court here has ordered the release of three snakes, rescued from two men, into their natural habitat and also directed the Delhi government to ensure proper staff and equipment at the 'understaffed' wildlife department. 

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Pawan Singh Rajawat directed the release of the three snakes -- Indian Cobra, Dhaman/Rat snake and Sand Boa -- into Asola Wildlife Sanctuary. 

The reptiles, after being seized from the accused, were kept in the Delhi Zoo. The court sent the accused, Beeja Nath and Shekpal Nath, to 14-day judicial custody. 

It directed the environment secretary of Delhi government to ensure proper staff at the wildlife department. It also asked the government to make available to the officials, the equipment needed for protection of wildlife. 

It noted that similar orders had already been issued by the National Green Tribunal (NGT). 

The NGT, in December 2015, had directed appropriate enhancement in the strength of the forest department and provision of proper infrastructure, including such gadgets that would help the officials to perform their duties and functions. The court has also asked the environment secretary to place before it the compliance report, within two months. 

Environment lawyer Aditya N Prasad had submitted before the court that time and again it has been seen that the wildlife department under the Delhi Government was understaffed, and apart from two wildlife inspectors, no other officials/staffs were available to trace and protect wildlife in Delhi. 

He had also said that the special equipment required to handle wildlife such as snakes was not available and the handlers who had produced the snakes in court were requisitioned from the Delhi Zoo.

According to the lawyer, an ex-member of the Animal Welfare Board -- Sonia Ghosh -- had seen the accused in possession of the snakes near Vasant Kunj police station, after which she informed the wildlife department, which could not come to the rescue of the snakes due to lack of resources. Ghosh then lodged an FIR after which the snakes were put in the Delhi Zoo.