Panaji: With the increase in encroachment on
jungles, Goa's Forest Minister on Monday said that his department
was rescuing four reptiles everyday from residential areas.
In a written reply tabled in State Assembly's monsoon
session began this morning, Filipe Neri Rodrigues said the
forest department rescued 1693 reptiles, including pythons,
during current financial year and released into wild.
"Nearly 4,000 snakes have been released into their
natural habitat over the last three years by the rescue
squads located at four places throughout Goa," Rodrigues said.
The reply by the minister says the number of pythons and
other reptiles rescued from residential areas is on rise
annually with current financial year recording 1693 rescues.
Around 1241 and 1146 reptiles were rescued during the
financial year 2007-08 and 2006-07 respectively, it said.
The state has its large area under forest cover, with six
wildlife sanctuaries and a national park.
The forest department has set up a rescue squad at
Campal, Mollem, Bondla and Cotigao to deal with incidents of
monkey menace and other rescue activities.
"The menace causing animals are trapped and rehabilitated
in suitable areas in the natural habitat," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, July 20, 2009, 14:53