VASOCHAN RAGUI Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India has been instituted by a practicing advocate of this Court, statedly in the public interest, and on the basis of articles in the public domain. The petitioner candidly admits that no representation has so far been addressed to the authorities in relation to the omnibus reliefs prayed for in the instant petition.

(2.) The petitioner seeks directions for the enforcement and implementation of the provisions in Chapter V-B of the amended Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (hereinafter referred to as the Act), which became effective on 1/4/2023.

(3.) It is submitted on behalf of the petitioner that Exotic animals were hitherto not covered by the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, till the amendment to the said Act took effect as above stated on 1/4/2023. The petitioner would urge that meanwhile, international transfer of Exotic animals was governed by the Treaty known as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES) of Wild Fauna and Flora, which has been ratified by India.