CENTRE FOR ENVIRONMENT LAW WWF 1 vs UNION OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE

The Supreme Court ruled on the necessity of establishing a second home for the endangered Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) to ensure its long-term survival, emphasizing eco-centrism and intrinsic wildlife value. The Court acknowledged the research conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, which identified Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary as the most suitable site for re-introduction based on habitat assessments and historical distribution. The judgment mandates a comprehensive rehabilitation package and resource commitment for the successful relocation of the species, thereby reinforcing the principles of wildlife conservation under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.