Urgent Call to Protect Assam’s Critically Endangered Feral Horses: NGT Demands Immediate Action
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken action regarding the precarious situation of feral horses in Assam’s Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. On Monday, December 16, the NGT issued notices to the central government and related authorities, addressing the critical endangerment of these animals. NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and expert member A Senthil Vel responded to a news report emphasizing the risks these feral horses face, such as smuggling, habitat loss, reduced grazing areas, floods, and insufficient conservation measures. These horses, which are believed to have descended from domesticated species, suffer from the absence of proper legal coverage under the Wildlife Protection Act, complicating their conservation efforts. Moreover, a lack of a comprehensive census has left authorities uncertain about their exact numbers.
The NGT has called upon the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the National Biodiversity Authority, the Zoological Survey of India, the Wildlife Institute of India, and Assam’s Chief Wildlife Warden to respond by filing affidavits. These responses are to be submitted to the tribunal’s eastern zonal bench in Kolkata. The case is set to be heard on February 27, 2025, wherein these agencies are expected to address the tribunal’s concerns and propose potential solutions to protect these endangered equines effectively.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/assam/ngt-seeks-action-on-critically-endangered-feral-horses-of-assams-dibru-saikhowa
Category : Assam
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Publish Date: 2024-12-17 20:37:00
