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16 NUJS L. Rev. [i] (2023)

handle is hein.journals/nujslr16 and id is 1 raw text is: EDITORIAL NOTE THE NEED FOR A NEW NATIONAL ZOO POLICY IN INDIA: A JURISPRUDENTIAL APPROACH Abhinav Gupta* Zoos have become a common feature in all major cities and town- ships in India. They serve as a means of recreation, revenue generation, and sci- entfic studies. Moreover, with the recent decision of the Supreme Court in on Jallikattu, animal rights have again taken the centre-stage in legal discourse. This note argues for a systematic, step-by-step abolishment of all zoos in India. This is justfied by relying on the jurisprudential understanding of animal rights and nature, which is based on placing humans as apart of nature instead of superior or separate from it. The note delves into the legal framework of zoos in India and thereafter explores the jurisprudential flaws that the said framework embodies. Having analysed them, itproceeds to robustly argue for the dismantling ofzoos in India in a phased manner. I. INTRODUCTION India currently contains over 166 zoos that are regulated by law.' They house over 560 species and around 56,500 animals in their premises.2 Ninety million visitors are attracted by these zoos annually.3 The jurisprudence on animal rights has evolved over the years in India and across the world. In addition, the Members: Board of Editors, NUJS Law Review. The author is extremely grateful to Ms. Somabha Bandopadhay for her discussions which fuelled interest in this yearas well as comments on the note. The note was conceptualised after a visit by the author to the Alipore Zoological Garden at Kolkata. Wild Welfare, India Announces Zoo Database Plans, March 9, 2023, available athttps://wildwel- fare.org/india-announces-zoo-database-plans/(Last visited on March 10, 2023). 2 Travel World, Indian Zoos to be Developed in PPP Mode, October 6, 2020, available athttps:// travel.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/destination/states/indian-zoo s-to -be-developed-in- ppp-mode/78509964(Last visited on March 10, 2023). 3 The Hindu, Indian Zoos Attract 90 Million Visitors, Pat on the Back for Karnataka and West Bengal, January 18, 2023, available athttps://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/ indian-zoos-attract-90-million-visitors-pat-on-the-back-for-karnataka-and-west-bengal/arti- cle66396706.ece(Last visited on March 10, 2023).