Swetab Kumar vs Ministry Of Environment, Forest And ...

The Supreme Court clarified that the filing of a declaration under the 2020 notification does not prevent the authorities from taking enforcement actions under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended by the 2022 Amendment Act. The court emphasized that the amendment allows authorities to prosecute declarants and undertake seizure and confiscation measures, clarifying the scope of enforcement post-declaration. The judgment aims to ensure that the amended provisions are effectively implemented without being hindered by prior declarations.