NOTE TO ALL SIGNING - "Thank you! Please make sure to share as well, so we can hit our target of at least 10k signatures soon." 

 

To,

PMO, Union Ministry of Environment, Delhi Government and DDA.

We, the People of India with residents of Delhi included – have written and signed this petition in order to bring to your attention the 'Deer Park' case.

Ever since it was made public that 60 year old Deer Park, located in Hauz Khas, Delhi, is going to be permanently closed and its entire deer population (around 600 in total) shall be relocated, we have not been able to digest the news of this deliberate ecocide.

The concerned citizens of Delhi have already made the authorities involved very much aware that they do not welcome this decision. Hence, based on the same, DDA had given a statement earlier that it shall urge the Centre to not relocate the entire population of deer and retain about a “dozen” of them in the park premises. We are sorry, but to us this statement of DDA just doesn’t make any sense and is beyond our comprehension.

The apex reason being the “10-12 deer” which the DDA seeks to retain in the Deer Park premises, if God-forbid -- pass away due to some disease or even old-age, then whose responsibility will it be for replenishing that loss? 

Would the authorities be willing to give it to us in writing first and their word after, that the “Deer Park of Hauz Khas shall never lose its Deer and other wildlife in the future”?

Although, we are convinced that your offices must be already aware as to why it is of utmost importance more than ever now, to sustain any green covers and wildlife in the capital of our country. Yet, we are penning down the top 3 x crucial reasons below for your perusal.

1. Deer Park is one of the largest green covers to exist in New Delhi, it would be right to call it as a part of “the lungs of Delhi” because it collectively with other green belts, provides clean and fresh air in the otherwise heavily polluted capital city. 

2. For the last 60 years, the wildlife residents in the park have been thriving without any direct human intervention so far. It is a matter of great feat, considering Delhi has lost almost its entire wildlife population throughout the courses of its history.

3. We are afraid once the Deer are gone the other wildlife residents (significant population of Indian Monkeys, Pea-fowls and countless Birds) will be forced out of the park eventually, due to future redevelopment/renovation projects in the park in favor of making it more accessible to human visitors.  

Apart from this, please also note that these deer are used to living in the bearable if not-so-pleasant climate of Delhi, with absolutely no clue on how to go about in an environment with predators as well. Therefore, they are most likely to suffer the ‘same fate as the 9 cheetahs of Kuno Park’ - if relocated in the arid climate of Rajasthan or Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

So, it is with great urgency we request you to let the Deer of Deer Park be, or make sure that only a percentage (maximum 50%) are relocated - if it is the last resort. 

Sincerely,

The People of India