T N GODAVARMAN THIRUMULPAD Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A. No. . . . . . . filed by Amicus Curiae : taken on board.

(2.) Concerned by depletion of population of tigers and other important animals in national Parks and Sanctuaries, this application has been filed by learned Amicus curiae for seeking directions, inter alia, for constitution of an authority of persons named by National Board of Wild Life (after obtaining leave of the Court) under section 3 (3) of the Environment Protection Act to oversee and supervise the functioning of the National Parks/sanctuaries listed in Annexure ' 1' to the application. The said list contains 25 National Parks and Sanctuaries. One of the prayers is that the State Governments be directed to co-operate with the authority in deployment of staff manning these parks and sanctuaries so as to check the menace of poaching.

(3.) Learned amicus curiae has brought to our notice a photograph showing skins of leopards. It is stated that as per reports, 43 such skins were seized recently and they appear to be of recent and original. Certain other directions have also been sought such as funding and the steps to be taken by the State Governments. Having regard to the enormous problem, we direct the parties to respond to the application within two weeks.