No move to start zoo: Minister

By Our Staff Reporter

PONDICHERRY, SEPT. 21. The PWD and Agriculture Minister, Mr. N. Rangaswamy, said the administration had no plans to start a zoo in Pondicherry in view of a ban imposed by the Supreme Court.

Replying to the debate on PWD, agriculture and a few other departments in the Assembly today, he said it had been found that a good number of people were keeping in captivity wild animals and trading in them. There were also cases of people doing this out of ignorance of the provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act. He said a publicity campaign would be mounted soon to educate the people on the provisions of the Act.But cases had been registered in respect of those who knowingly violated the legislation and they were being prosecuted.

Mr. Rangaswamy said that when it was found that three of the sandalwood oil extraction units were procuring sandalwood from unauthorised sources, the administration had taken action against the offenders.

The units' owners were also being prosecuted. The certificates of `no objection' issued to them were withdrawn.

To check smuggling of forest products to and through the Union Territory, a mobile squad was being set up and check posts were also being established by the Forest Department.

The sandalwood oil extraction units had come up here before the Forest Department was opened.

Importance was given to raise medicinal plants and on a priority basis certain species including neem and tulasi were being raised this year.

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Section  : Southern States
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