Why is Delhi Deer Park being shut down?

South Delhi's Deer Park, officially known as the AN Jha Deer Park, located in Hauz Khas, is being decertified as a 'mini-zoo.' The significant change by the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) is being undertaken due to overcrowding in the deer enclosure. As a result, the park will now be classified as a 'protected forest' under the supervision of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA).

With a history spanning 55 years, the park holds a special place as both a cherished picnic destination and a picturesque setting for photoshoots in Delhi.

The deer population in the park is estimated to have reached 600 and will be relocated to the Rajasthan and Delhi forest departments in a 70:30 ratio, reported the PTI.

Why

• The decision to derecognise the Deer Park stemmed from concerns over the rapid growth of the deer population, inbreeding, potential disease transmission, and insufficiently trained DDA staff to manage deers in the mini-zoo.
• The CZA, taking cognizance of the situation, highlighted these issues, prompting the transfer of deer to other suitable locations with ample predators.
• Thankfully, the park's transition into a protected forest will ensure its preservation and restrict commercial activities and permanent structures within its boundaries.

The relocation

• The Zoo authority's proposal, approved by its technical committee, will involve transferring the spotted deer population to the Rajasthan and Delhi forest departments.
• The deer count in the Hauz Khas Park is estimated to have risen from 200 to 600 over the past decade and will be shared in a 70:30 ratio between the two receiving state forest departments, Rajasthan and Delhi.
• While the Forest Department of the NCT of Delhi plans to relocate the deer to the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in Tughlakabad, the Rajasthan forest department intends to augment prey bases in reserves such as Mukundra and Ramgarh-Vishdhari tiger reserves near Kota.
• The timing of the relocation will be determined by the forest department officials, likely after the breeding season ends, potentially in winter.

Preserving urban greens

• Recognising the importance of the Deer Park as an important urban space, the CZA's Technical Committee expressed the need for its preservation against commercial activities on the vacated land.
• The DDA affirmed that the site is officially designated as a protected forest and will be maintained as such.
• The CZA's order also emphasised compliance with prescribed protocols and guidelines from the CZA and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) regarding re-introduction and conservation translocations.

The park is named after Padma Vibhushan awardee bureaucrat, Aditya Nath Jha.