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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court sought response from the Centre on a plea seeking directions for “drastic and tough steps” to protect leopards which have seen a sharp dip in population on account of poaching and man-animal conflict.
A bench headed by Justice Madan B Lokur issued notice to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) on the plea which has also sought setting up of a task force on the lines of tiger conservation project.
The petition, filed by advocate Anupam Tripathi, has sought a direction to the ministry to set up ‘Project Leopard’ and allocation of funds for it to preserve the species.
The plea has also sought a direction to the Centre to take drastic and tough steps including “right to shoot and kill poachers” by the forest guard and the task force.
“There is a need for education and spreading awareness among the farmers who have domestic cattle and livestock and are routinely in conflict with the leopard eyeing their livestock, to take steps of keeping well trained guard dogs,” the plea has said.
It has also sought a direction to the ministry to take steps to ensure diligent and meticulous follow up in cases of prosecution of persons allegedly involved in “mob justice” of the animal till such cases reach their logical conclusion.