Assam: NGT Directs Dispur to File Counter-Affidavits Within Four Weeks on Feral Horses

Feral horses in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: The Eastern Zone Bench of the National Green Tribunal at Kolkata directed the state government and the other respondents in the case related to the fast declining population of critically endangered feral horses in the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park in Assam to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks.

Feral horses have survived in the wild for nearly 80 years, and the national park is the only place in India where these horses can be found. As per the news item, these horses are believed to be descendants of war horses from World War II, while other theories suggest they could be descendants of China’s Przewalski’s horses.

The original application (No.1372/2024/PB) was registered suo motu by the NGT’s principal bench on the basis of the news item that appeared on November 5, 2024. Subsequently, the application was transferred to the Eastern Zone bench (Original Application No. 08/2025/EZ).

The article cites smuggling, habitat loss, shrinking grazing lands, floods, and neglect by conservation authorities as the alleged causes behind the dwindling number of these horses.

The news item alleges that in 2020, the authorities allegedly apprehended a truck trying to smuggle six feral horses. It quotes that since feral horses are not covered under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, they are not considered wild animals; therefore, even upon arrest, getting a conviction becomes difficult. Furthermore, there has been no regular census of the horses, which makes it challenging to ascertain their conservation status. It also highlights that the frequent flooding of the Brahmaputra River not only damages the grazing grounds but also exacerbates the erosion of the park’s land, reducing space for the horses to survive. The horses are also under threat from reduced biodiversity in their ecosystem, which further limits food availability.

Apart from that, various human activities and cattle farms from nearby forest villages degrade their habitat. Conservationists argue that without urgent intervention, these unique animals face extinction.

In the instant hearing, the Tribunal directed impleadment of the Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Assam, in the array of respondents, including the state government. The Tribunal also directed all the Respondents to file their counter-affidavits within four weeks.

 Also Read: Assam Government Faces NGT Notice Over Concerns on Declining Feral Horse Population

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