Court suggests bringing wildlife law under NGT

The Supreme Court while hearing an application regarding hazard posed to the Great Indian Bustard by the power lines asked the Attorney General of India to consider handing over of jurisdiction of Wildlife Protection Act to the National Green Tribunal.

Delhi:The Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India, SA Bobde, asked the Attorney General of India, KK Venugopal, to consider handing over of jurisdiction of Wildlife Protection Act to the National Green Tribunal and inform the court about it in a week.

The court was hearing an application regarding hazard posed to the Great Indian Bustard by the power lines which obstruct the flight path of the bird and kill it on collusion.

The court while hearing the matter said today that if NGT is dealing with it then it can wait. On this, an advocate submitted that NGT doesn't have the jurisdiction on Wildlife Protection Act in response to which court asked AG to consider the handing over of jurisdiction.

The court was informed today there has been a death of a bird in September and now the population of the Great Indian Bustard stands at 100. Steps to make the power lines underground has already been taken, informed counsel to the court.

Installation of diverters from transmission lines was suggested to the court which could help birds to identify the direction. However, CJI said that order for underground transmission lines and then diverts also can not be made.

CJI said that they will study the map and order for replacing power lines with underground power lines in specific areas. CJI wanted to wait for NGT order but since NGT doesn't have the jurisdiction on Wildlife Protection Act, CJI asked AG to consider giving it the jurisdiction and inform the court.

In an earlier hearing, the top court had constituted an expert committee on the matter.