Surya Kumar.K v. Union of India

ORDER (Order of the Court was made by the Hon'ble Chief Justice) This public interest litigation filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeks a direction to respondents 1 and 3 to create vulture conservation centres in the vulture habitat areas falling under the Districts of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode for the purpose of preservation of vultures, where decrease in vulture population is because of consumption of carcass of animals which have been administered unsafe drugs during the course of their treatment.

¶2Pursuant to the direction of this Court, the State has filed a status report dated 3.2.2026 disclosing the action plan taken by the State to preserve vultures. As per the action plan, the respondent authorities have constituted Field Level Monitoring Committee and the said Committee has been requested to develop and submit a map by duly marking the vulture nesting and habitat usage sites, monitoring hotspots for carcasses to meet out conditions for declaring an area as vulture safe zone. Based on the outcome of the findings of the said Committee, the vulture safe zone will be notified as per the guidelines issued by the Government of India.

¶3This Court had earlier granted liberty to the petitioner to go through the action plan and make suggestions through an expert, if so advised. In compliance thereof, learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted suggestions, which need to be taken note of by the Committee and for taking necessary further action. The suggestions in the form of an affidavit submitted by the petitioner were given by the Wildlife Biologist, who is a Doctorate in vulture conservation studies. The said suggestions are taken on record.

¶4In view of the status report as well as the suggestions in the form of affidavit submitted by the petitioner, we direct the Field Level Monitoring Committee constituted to take necessary action in the light of the suggestions made by the petitioner for preservation of vultures and act accordingly. With the above observation and direction, the writ petition is disposed of. There shall be no order as to costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed. (SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CJ) (G.ARUL MURUGAN,J)

18.03.2026 Index : : bbr To:

1.Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Union of India Indira Paryavaran Bhawan Jorbagh Road New Delhi-110 003

2.The Deputy Drugs Controller Central Drug Standard Control Organization, South Zone CDSCO Bhawan No.37,Jothi Venkatachalam Street Vepery, Chennai-600 007

3.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Department of Forests Government of Tmail Nadu No.1,Jeenis Road, Panagal Buildings Saidapet, Chennai 600 015

4.The Director of Drugs Control Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department No.359, Anna Slai, Teynampet Chennai 600 006

5.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai 600 009 W.P.No.35390,of,2023 THE,HON'BLE,CHIEF,JUSTICE ,,,,AND ,G.ARUL,MURUGAN,,J., bbr W.P.No.35390,of,2023 ,,,,,

18.03.2026 Page,7,of,7

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 18.03.2026 CORAM : THE HONOURABLE MR. SUSHRUT ARVIND DHARMADHIKARI, CHIEF JUSTICE AND THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE G.ARUL MURUGAN and W.M.P.No.35362 of 2023 Surya Kumar.K S/o Krishnan No.4/15 Perumal Kovil Street Otteri, Vandalur, Chennai 600 048 Petitioner Vs 1.Union of India Rep. by its Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Indira Paryavaran Bhawan Jorbagh Road New Delhi-110 003 2.The Deputy Drugs Controller Central Drug Standard Control Organization, South Zone CDSCO Bhawan No.37,Jothi Venkatachalam Street Vepery, Chennai-600 007 3.The Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden Department of Forests Government of Tmail Nadu No.1,Jeenis Road, Panagal Buildings Saidapet, Chennai 600 015 4.The Director of Drugs Control Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department No.359, Anna Slai, Teynampet Chennai 600 006 5.The Additional Chief Secretary to Government Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Department, Secretariat, Fort St. George Chennai 600 009 6.Indian Drug Manufacturers' Association 102, Poonam Chambers 'A' Win, 1st Floor, Dr. A.B.Road Worli, Mumbai 400 018 Respondents PRAYER : Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India seeking issuance of a writ of mandamus directing the 1st and the 3rd respondents to create vulture conservation centers in the vulture habitat areas falling under the districts of Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode. For Petitioner: Mr.SP.Chockalingam For Respondents: Dr.G.Babu Senior Panel Counsel for R1 and R2 Dr.T.Seenivasan Spl. G.P. (Forests) for R3 Mr. A.Edwin Prabakar State Government Pleader for R4 and R5 R6 - No Appearance