The Supreme Court of India, expressed grave concern over the continuous degradation of the wildlife ecosystem due to rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and commercial land use, and called for a stringent approach from authorities to address the growing threat to flora and fauna. The court emphasised that the threat is “real and not imaginary” and underlined the urgent need for holding offenders accountable under the Wildlife Protection Act.

A bench comprising Justices Sudhanshu Dhulia and Ahsanuddin Amanullah made these remarks while hearing a plea by two individuals convicted in a case involving the illegal trade of tiger skin and other wildlife products. The petitioners had challenged a Bombay High Court order that upheld their conviction, but the apex court dismissed the plea, reinforcing the seriousness of wildlife crimes.

“It need not be over-emphasised that in the present times, the area left open to the wildlife ecosystem is diminishing everyday due to massive urbanisation, colonisation, industrialisation, and land-use for various commercial purposes,” the bench observed. “The threat of wildlife, flora and fauna vanishing or becoming extinct is real.”

The court asserted that a “very strict approach” was required from the government and relevant enforcement agencies. It stated that once the guilt of an accused is established beyond reasonable doubt, the punishment should be commensurate with the offence, as prescribed by the law.

In a strong rebuke to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the court criticised the agency for conducting a “casual” and “vague” investigation in the case. It noted that the probe lacked thoroughness and failed to establish a complete chain of events, including the identification of suppliers and buyers involved in the illegal wildlife trade.

“What we can gather is that the CBI team did not have the patience to wait for the transaction to reach its logical conclusion,” the bench stated. It highlighted that proper forensic tests and an in-depth investigation encompassing all possibilities are essential to ensure justice in such sensitive environmental matters.

The court’s remarks signal a firm stance against wildlife crimes and send a clear message to investigative agencies to step up their efforts in protecting India’s rapidly shrinking wildlife heritage.