The High Court of Karnataka has stayed the Wildlife (Protection and Surrender of Undeclared Wildlife or Animal Article, trophy, or uncured trophy) (Karnataka) Rules, 2024, and restrained the authorities from carrying out further proceedings based on this rule till March 18 in respect of two petitioners from Kodagu district.
Justice M. Nagaprasanna passed the interim order on a petition filed by Ranji Poonacha P.A. of Virajpet and K.A. Kuttappa of Napoklu in Madikeri taluk.
The petitioners have questioned the legality of the Rules, notified on January 10, 2024, giving 90 days to the public to surrender undeclared wildlife or animal articles, trophy, or uncured trophy, if the same was not declared within 30 days as per the notification issued when the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, was brought into force 50 years ago.
